After all of the careful buildup in the first few hundred pages and the promising start to the climax, the ending of Ash and Bones felt too anticlimactic for me. Hence, I'm giving this three stars instead of 4. Ash and Bones is truly an excellent read, otherwise. The characters are as real as ever; at this stage, you can already connect with them as if you knew them personally.
Akachi heeds the instructions of his god, seeking to kill Efra. In his quest, he discovers what Efra and Nuru have already discovered in Smoke and Stone: The gods are not infallible.
The overall story is a touching one, especially the travails of Akachi. It tells of what happens when mortals put their fates in the hands of immortals, allowing themselves to be unquestioningly led on in the name of faith. It's a story of faith, pain, and redemption.
Unfortunately, the ending of Ash and Bones wasn't satisfactory, in my opinion. So, I anticipate the next book, hoping Mr. Fletcher continues to dazzle in this tale of blood, blood, and more blood.
