This review first appeared on my blog here: http://rlhendrian.com/6-reasons-you-n... 
 Since I don't want to spoil the book for anyone I'll follow the same format as I did with reviewing Sunbolt, and give you 6 reasons why you need to read Memories of Ash, ASAP. 
 6 Reasons to Read Memories of Ash 
 1. The World and Characters. 
 If you love fantasy, you know that a fascinating world and colorful characters are extremely important. In the Eleven Kingdoms of Sunbolt and Memories of Ash, Khanani has created a world so vivid and interesting that you won't want to leave. Her worldbuilding is fabulous, with so many (effortlessly) diverse and multifaceted cultures and places. In Memories of Ash, the Mage School and the magical wastelands (both mentioned in Sunbolt) are the primary new locations explored, and there are a handful of new characters introduced as well. As with Sunbolt, the characters are varied and well-developed, with Hitomi always at center stage (as she should be). Val isn't forgotten either, and the ramifications of their alliance (friendship) are further explored and complicate the story.* 
 2. Hitomi. 
 I know I used her as one of my reasons for reading Sunbolt, but I'll shamelessly repeat myself: Hitomi is just the sort of strong heroine that we need more of. She isn't fearless or invincible, but she'll go to (believably crazy) lengths to save the people she cares about. In spite of this, she won't trample people or intentionally cause harm (which creates a few moral quandaries to spice up the plot). She's moral herself, but she isn't judgemental, and she is both a likable and relatable young woman. And of course, Memories of Ash just made me love her more. 
 3. Consistency rules. 
 When I started Memories of Ash (hereafter known as MoA), I was immediately plunged back into the world of Sunbolt. Khanani's characters, facts, magic systems, locations, and details are so seamless that you don't feel disconnected at all. With fantasy, this is pivotal to the reader's experience of the book. Characters from Sunbolt mixed with new characters, and at the center, Arch Mage Blackflame seems to have an even more complicated scheme than we all realized 
 4. The Writing. 
 This is another point I've brought up - but Intisar Khanani's prose is fluid and beautiful to read. She blends humor, intrigue, and just the perfect amount of description. Her plotting and pace are wonderful, with a good mixture of adventure, action, and a few twists. I could immediately visualize all of the different locations, though the descriptions were never long. 
 5. Thorny Morality Questions: Met head-on. 
 Have you ever watched an adventure film or read a book and thought "where are the consequences?," or, "do they even care about collateral damage?" Well, morality (interestingly enough) comes up rather often through the course of Memories of Ash. Hitomi is confronted with several pivotal decisions that make her put her own freedom/safety/happiness up against the lives and livelihood of others. And she doesn't just make these decisions by flipping a coin or shrugging it off with a "ends justify the means" mentality. It's refreshing to see a character dealing with the real fallout of their decisions, and Hitomi's struggles just made me more invested in her. 
 6. It's BOOK SIZED. 
 Did you love Sunbolt, but wish it was longer (I did!)? Memories of Ash is book-length, which takes away my only complaint from Sunbolt. A longer novel was definitely worth the wait, as it allowed Khanani to further develop and enrich the fascinating world and characters. 
 Did I convince you yet? Then what are you waiting for?! Go purchase a copy (you can download it through Kobo, Nook, or Amazon, or ask your local bookstore to order you a physical copy!**) 
 HAVE YOU READ/DO YOU PLAN TO READ MEMORIES OF ASH AND/OR SUNBOLT? 
 Footnotes: 
 *Don't you just love complicated relationships (in fiction)? And Hitomi and Val's whole connection is so interesting to me. I can't wait to read more about Breathers (yeah, I'll keep bringing this up . . .) 
 **I'll be ordering physical copies for the store I work at!