Reading Possession left me a little discouraged about this series. I feared that the series was on the decline, although with Ashes to Ashes I find myself encouraged yet again. The relationships of Nathan and Cyrus can be a little tedious with the back and forth attitudes, but I feel that for this story it is necessary. Jennifer Armintrout has a very complex story in the Blood Ties series, but it is easily understood and very entertaining. I will continuing in reading the last book of series, and hope for a wonderful conclusion of Max, Bella, Nathan, and Carrie. ( )

I simply devoured this book...what happens next...couldn't put this down! ( )

So I just finished reading Ashes to Ashes by Jennifer Armintrout. It was kind of anti-climatic in my opinion. You get geared up for this big fight scene and then it's over rather quickly. So quickly it seems that I skimmed through it [the fight scene] without realizing it. I've noticed that a lot with this series. It has a great plot line, but it doesn't have the greatest execution. There really hasn't been anything that makes these novels stand out. At least, nothing I haven't read already in multiple books already. I usually write a bit more when I review a book, but I really can't think of anything else to say for this one.

http://www.literaryescapism.com/2007/... ( )

After not caring much for "The Turning", I thought "Possession" was incredibly good. Imagine then my regret to find that "Ashes to Ashes" wasn't anywhere near as good, in fact it actually dimenished some of the great character building Armintrout created with "Possession". Bella, the tough werewolf assassin becomes whiny and clingy. Max (my fave character) keeps most of his charm, but still falters when it comes to his relationship with Bella. Speaking of which, this relationship went from high attraction and flirtation with biting humor, to "I can't live without you" junk in the blinking of an eye. I wish some more care would have been taken in making this kind of relationship change. Even under the stress these characters face, they should have been able to retain some of the humor and wit that made them so great in the "Possession". Carrie became more annoying than ever in "Ashes to Ashes". She literally bounces back and forth from Nathan to Cyrus about ten times before the action even really starts going. I can happily say that Cyrus's character (although facing transformation) still stayed true to the changes established in the second book. Kudos to this volume for twists and turns and for not being afraid to take risks with the characters. There are some definite suprises in store, as well as some turns I personally am not sure if I will like. This book is not dull, but it still feels like the story danced around issues instead of delving straight into them. I think, honestly, that this series could have been made into a condensed but tight trilogy and instead was filled with enough filler to make up four books. I also don't think Armintrout really knew what would happen either and kind of is making stuff up along the way here. This doesn't always mean for negative production, because the series is entertaining and I don't think I will be quick to forget it. But the series has certainly suffered from inconsistancy, both in plot lines and character development. That said, unless the final chapter is an immense disappointment, I believe Jennifer Armintrout will only get better as a storyteller, and I would recommend her as an author to keep an eye on. ( )

This book was slow to start but as usual by the ending it put me right back into the story line. It is getting a bit odd now but I am vested into the story line and I want to know what is going to happen to these characters. I will pick up the next book as I do like the main character a lot. ( )