Marshmallow reviews Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson

Marshmallow has already reviewed Chains and Forge, the first two books of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Seeds of America trilogy. Today she completes the trilogy by reviewing Ashes, the third and last book, first published in 2016.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like historical fiction or emotional roller coasters, or if you have enjoyed reading the first two books of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Seeds of America trilogy, then this might be the book for you.

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): This book starts a few years after the events of Forge. You might recall that it is the late 1700s (the time of the American Revolution), and Isabel is a runaway slave, who has been searching for her younger sister, Ruth. At age seven, Ruth was sold away and separated from her. Eventually, with her friend Curzon, Isabel escaped from her “owners” and set out to find her sister.

After many trials, hardships, and travels, Isabel and Curzon finally reach the area where Ruth might be living, in South Carolina. Isabel and Curzon’s friendship is in peril; they are both unsure of its future. The two have learned through several ordeals that, as former slaves, nowhere is safe for them. But after all of this, Isabel finds her sister living on a farm. Overjoyed, Isabel runs to her, only to find that her sister doesn’t recognize her.

We learn with Isabel that Ruth has been living with Mister Walter and Missus Serafina, an older couple who have raised her as their own. Isabel is grateful for their generosity but is heartbroken. When questioned further, Ruth admits to remembering Isabel but says that she is not her sister anymore, and that Isabel should go home.

Luckily, Mister Walter and Missus Serafina invite Isabel and Curzon to stay a while. There, they learn that the plantation that Ruth and the couple worked on was raided by Patriots and the owner left to go after them. After a second Patriot raid, many of the slaves on the plantation fled, but Mister Walter and Missus Serafina physically couldn’t run away. This is why Ruth stayed on the plantation. Another boy named Aberdeen tried to run away but was caught and brought back.

Isabel is still in shock from Ruth’s rejection of her when the plantation owner Prentiss returns. Mister Walter and Missus Serafina send Isabel, Curzon, Ruth, and Aberdeen away and tell them to run. Once again, Isabel is forced to confront a cruel world and must protect her sister from danger. 

Marshmallow’s Review: Ashes makes a good ending to the Seeds of America trilogy. Like Chains, the first book of the series, it is narrated by Isabel. Ashes is a true emotional roller coaster, with ups and downs that keep you reading until the end.

The character development in this story is remarkable and adds to the depth of the plot of the book. Laurie Halse Anderson is very skilled at showing the external struggles faced by the characters and is very adept at weaving in the characters’ internal conflicts. We can see the development of Isabel’s feelings for Curzon change from pure friendship to romance, and the transition seems convincing.

The writing reflects the style of that period and accurately (I think) portrays life in that time. Also, just like she had done in the first two books, the author regularly includes quotes from real documents from the time of the Revolutionary War to provide some historical context. However, everything is still understandable and the book itself is very readable.

All in all, I appreciated the chance to read these three books and would recommend them wholeheartedly to other young bunnies interested in understanding the people and the events at the beginning of the United States as a nation.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.