Willow of Ashes (eBook) was awarded 1st Place for the 7th annual Writer's Digest Self-Published eBook Awards. "This book is an incredible step into another world...I was very impressed by how much Raine was able to accomplish well in this book. Her characters are fascinating, relatable, and interesting. The world-building is so creative and original and I really appreciated how it is shown to the reader. Instead of information being dumped on, it is revealed slowly and cleverly but with enough at a time to create an excellent pacing and sense of wonder. For a system so complex, that was an awesome accomplishment.I was fascinated by the story as well, and enjoyed the journey that the characters have to go on to figure out what has happened. It was delightful, exciting, and managed to hook me from beginning to end without making me feel like what I was reading was unrealistic. I love when fantasy can do that and this was story worked so well.I thought the plot was paced expertly, as it's a first in a series I didn't think that too much was left hanging at the end; rather it hit that sweet spot of feeling satisfied from the story we've been through but also with enough questions and momentum to propel the reader into the next book. I really enjoyed this one and appreciated the cleverness of the darker subject of necromancers being the heroes. It was very enjoyable." ~Judge, 7th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published eBook Awards
Midwest Book Review
A brilliantly scripted and entertainingly original fantasy saga, Willow of Ashes is the first volume in author Ellie Raine's epic new Necroseam Chronicles series. A riveting read from beginning to end, Willow of Ashes is unreservedly recommended, especially for community library Fantasy Fiction collections.
***** Readers' Favorite Review
I really enjoyed Willow of Ashes, Book One of the NecroSeam Chronicles by Ellie Raine. I'm glad I came into the series at Book One. This is one of the most fascinating and weird universes I have ever encountered. I like that. Think of it. A world where death rules. A world where everyone and everything is centered around death. A world where death is not as permanent and unknowable as it is here in our world. I found it intriguing. I have seen epic world building in science fiction before but never have I seen it done on this scale in a magical setting. Ellie Raine has quite the imagination and she shares it with us like a master storyteller. Her world is rich, mysterious, inviting, and frightening at the same time. You will want to visit it again and again.Ellie Raine has a unique voice which fits her story and this world perfectly.The setting is powerful and never have I seen the theme of death explored so intimately. Necromancy is not new but, as far as I know, it has never been explored or utilized as it is here. The characters are unique, and the plot is driven along in part by that very uniqueness. Xavier and Alexander are twins with a big problem. How this happened and how it will be resolved will change everything. Every character is interesting not only as a character but as representations of their various species. Willow of Ashes is a deep book and a little dark. But it is a lot of fun. --Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite Review
