Ascension from the Ashes

Information

Status

Ongoing

Year

2024

Author

Nathan Nolan

• Chapter 1 - Beginning Battles
  Nov 4, 2024

Reviews

Community Reviews(5)

• Belac LlahseokRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Ascension from the Ashes is a blast to read so far!
  Nolan immediately draws you in with visceral combat, followed by beautiful world-building. Lloyd is the perfect surrogate for the reader, drawing sympathy and care for him and his family as he gets ready to depart on the adventure of a lifetime.
  I've very much appreciated the setup to the grand adventure about to take place, and I'm excited to see what happens next!
• SarahKoRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  To start, I am a personal friend of the author, but that being said, I am enjoying the characters and the world building so far. I am looking forward to the chapters every day and feel the time spent reading it is time well spent. That is worth 4.5 stars. I will update the rating when the story is finished.
• AsmodemusRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  General Thoughts
  The story is easy to get into and the writing style not demanding to read. I like the use of dialogue, it feels natural and flowing, not awkward at all. The author sets up a nice feel for the different characters and the relationships between them, but doesn't reveal too much immediately.
  Style
  In my opinion it's a nice style of writing, no unnecessary embellishments which often make stories drag. The author is descriptive when he needs to, and uses concise sentences when the situation or the scene calls for it. It's often hard for writers to balance this, but the author manages it well.
  Story
  I haven't read very far yet (though I plan to do so), but up til now the story feels intriguing for a new reader to pay attention and wonder what will happen next.
  Grammar
  I haven't seen any major mistakes so far, the author does his best to make sure grammar is in order. Very easy on the eyes.
  Characters
  I loved seeing the interactions between the MC and his friends. It's interesting to see their dynamic and the effect it has on their relationship that the MC isn't an altered. Lloyd, Cassius and Regal seem good friends, and I can't wait to see how the story unfolds and how Lloyd plans to keep up with his stronger friends. I liked the cute interactions with his little brother as well.
  Closing thoughts
  Kudos to the author for building an interesting world, and I wish you much success in the future! I look forward to seeing where the story goes.
• Ethan Y CottonRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  A detailed and intriguing adventure with our underdog hero Lloyd. A classic formula done well.
  tldr: worth a look for anyone who enjoys a good fantasy story without the overpowered main character trope.
  style: the author does a great job painting a picture with words. Very detailed and vivid imagery takes you to walk alongside Lloyd and his companions.
  story: a powerless human surrounded by corrupted monsters and magically enhanced people. The story is largely about survival, but more than that, Lloyd wants to join his brother and friend as they walk the path of the ascended.
  grammar: only minor issues, little, easily fixed, and equally easily ignored  issues. For example in the first chapter Lloyd is Lloyed at one point. As I said though, nothing that will detract from the story or the reader’s experience.
  characters: all of the characters have strong personalities, and the camaraderie between Lloyd, Cassius, and Regal, feels genuine and strong. I am only on chapter 8 as of this review but I haven’t seen any major character flaws in side characters, which is a bit disappointing, but there is a lot of story to be had yet.
  all in all this is a solid start to a good looking underdog story in a fantasy adventure. Definitely worth a look!
• The BlackwellRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 3.5

  Overall Score: 3.5/5
  Style Score: 4/5
  The writing is polished, with vivid descriptions that bring the world to life. The fight scenes, particularly in Chapter 1 and later chapters, are dynamic and engaging. However, the pacing of the early chapters slows the momentum, making it harder to stay invested.
  Grammar Score: 5/5
  The grammar is clean and professional, with no noticeable issues. This is a well-edited work that flows smoothly on a technical level.
  Story Score: 3/5
  The premise and worldbuilding are strong, with intriguing concepts like the Corrupted beasts and the Altered powers. However, the first ten chapters suffer from a lack of external conflict. After the initial fight in Chapter 1, the story becomes repetitive, focusing heavily on Lloyd’s fears and lack of powers. It isn’t until Chapter 11 that the story regains momentum with external stakes and conflict. Reducing or cutting some of these early chapters to get into the main story quicker would immediately improve the novel.
  Character Score: 3.5/5
  Lloyd’s insecurities and his underdog status are relatable, but they are revisited too often in the early chapters. The supporting cast, like Regal and Cassius, have potential, but they don’t get as much development as they could. By trimming the repetitive internal reflections, there would be more room to explore these relationships and bring the characters to life.
  Review Content:
  Ascension from the Ashes has a strong foundation with its worldbuilding, concepts, and dynamic fight scenes. The Corrupted beasts and the Altered powers are compelling, and the prose is polished and professional. Chapter 1 opens with an exciting fight, but unfortunately, the story loses momentum after that.
  The biggest issue is the pacing. Much of the first ten chapters focus on Lloyd’s fears and insecurities, with little external conflict to drive the plot forward. These chapters feel repetitive and could be reduced or condensed to get into the story faster. Chapter 11 finally intro