#37: Ash by Malindo Lo

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

This is largely (in my circles, at least) being advertised as “the lesbian Cinderella YA.” While true, the romantic plotline doesn’t actually begin until well into the book, and is secondary, largely being a part of the heroine’s growth.

The first half of the book follows the standard tale fairly closely: Aisling, called Ash, lost her mother when very young and has had the run of her father’s lands since then. When her father remarries, she doesn’t bond well with her more proper and ladylike stepmother and stepsisters, and when her father dies and leaves them in debt, her stepmother forces her to become a maid. The major change is the addition of Sidhean, a fae who is the Fairy Godmother figure of the tale, who has a past with Ash’s mother.

The second half departs from the standard myth almost entirely. The prince is almost irrelevant, with Ash struggling with her emotions regarding the deaths of her parents and her stepfamily’s cruelty, as well as becoming friends, and then more, with Kaisa, not to mention finding a way to free herself from Sidhean.

Heterosexuality appears to be dominant in this world, but homosexuality (and, presumably, bisexuality) is considered normal and evokes little reaction. The head of the royal hunt is the Huntress-there is never a Hunter-which is Kaisa’s position, though she seems rather young. Though decidedly romantic, the relationship between Ash and Kaisa is rather chaste and innocent (though clearly about to be less chaste). I think, though, that that has more to do with the romance being secondary and this not being That Kind of YA than any hesitancy caused by the lesbian aspect.

This is a good first book, but it also has some problems. For one thing, it really needed to be longer, especially the second half. For another, it has the typical Cinderella problem of most women being mean bullies persecuting the poor, abused heroine. Kaisa, of course, is the major exception to this, but the other non-evil (non-dead) women are very much bit characters, peasants (the class divide was rather noticeable to me), and all but one was a motherly figure cruelly ripped away. In addition, Ash seemed to look down on almost everyone but Kaisa.

Despite the problems, though, I liked it, and look forward to reading more by Lo.

Comments

[themis.livejournal.com]

For one thing, it really needed to be longer

I agree with this so hard.

[hokuton_punch]

Totally thirding this. I really liked it, but would have loved more fleshing-out of a lot of things.

[anitabuchan.livejournal.com]

I've heard about this on a few blogs, and wanted to read it. So it's encouraging to hear you liked it!

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

So far, I've heard primarily positive things about it, with most criticisms and reservations (not always the same ones to the same degree) chalked up to largely being a "First book" thing.

[holyschist.livejournal.com]

Intriguing! I'm adding that to my to-read list.