🔥 Ashes of Austen by Zoe Blake Book Review

Rating:  3.45 Stars ⭐

Release Date: Jan 19 2027

Format: Ebook

Publisher: St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin

I wanted to like this more than I actually did. As the first book in a series, Ashes of Austen spends a lot of time laying the groundwork for its world, characters, and future conflicts. The setup has potential, but much of it feels like preparation for a stronger book that has not arrived yet. There are interesting ideas here; they just never fully come alive on the page. 📚

The story follows a progression similar to Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, and recognizing those parallels was probably my favorite part. Unfortunately, I had just finished the original, which did this book no favors. Compared with Austen’s wit, atmosphere, and sharp character work, Ashes of Austen felt flat and too restrained. The gothic tension came close to becoming tense, and while these moments should have carried emotional weight landed with more of a shrug because of technology we have in modern times. 🕯️🏰

🌶️ Spice Meter 🌶️ : 3 out of 5 Peppers

The romance was the weakest element for me. I understood that the characters were supposed to be drawn to each other, but I did not feel enough development to believe in their connection. Their relationship needed more meaningful interaction, stronger chemistry, and actual emotional buildup. Instead, the romantic arc felt underwritten and left me wondering what, beyond the plot requiring it, truly brought these two together. Insta-love fixes a multitude of sins but not this one… 💔

Final Thoughts:  There is enough promise in the world-building to make me curious about where the series goes next, but this opener reads more like an extended introduction than a satisfying story on its own. A solid concept with familiar literary inspiration—but ultimately, it needed more depth, more tension, and much stronger character development to leave a lasting impression. 📖🔥

Disclaimer: Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.