Heart of Iron audiobook

Whattttt?! That ending though! I need the sequel now!

Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston is the first book in the new young adult science fiction fantasy series by the same name. This series is said to be a retelling of Anastasia set in space but truth be told I’m not familiar with Anastasia so I can’t compare the two. It’s also compared to Six of Crows but that seems way off when you simply compare the pacing of the two as this one is extremely fast paced.The story is told by changing the point of view between several characters in the series including Ana, Robb, Jax, and D09 with Ana being the main character and the story focusing around her. Seventeen year old Ana had been found by a space captain and crew with D09 protecting her as she had been injured and lost all of her memories and was drifting through space.D09 is one of the last remaining metals, or AI, and he and Ana share a bond from their experience together. Now however D09 is glitching and Ana vows to do whatever it will take to save him even if that means going against the crew but as she tries to steal the coordinates to an abandoned ship that may have the answers someone beats her to it.Heart of Iron is an extremely fast paced read that drops readers right into full blown space action right on the opening pages. As much as I love a fast paced read I’d dare say this one might of needed a tad bit of a slow down with having so many points of views to learn and an elaborate world to build. It seemed to jump from one point to another without taking a breathe and as weird as it sounds coming from me I think it would have benefited from a bit more depth to things between. Otherwise it’s an interesting start to this space opera that I would say is worth checking out with me giving this first book 3.5 stars.For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

In Darkness we ShineWhat a freaking amazing start of the year!!So a few days ago I wanted to read out of nowhere an Anastasia retelling and I remembered I had this book sitting on my shelves since FOREVER. I picked it up immediately and I LOVED every single second of it.It’s so much more than an Anastasia retelling mixed with a touch of Cinder, there’s a whole new world to explore, new people to meet and new adventures to live. I loved how the “old story” was mixed with a brand new one.The book was never boring, we have various POVs and the action is always there.That’s how a fantasy sci-fi should always be written.I’m starving for its sequel!

I am lucky enough to own the beautiful Owlcrate edition of this book with the stunning purple sprayed pages and it's been on my shelves for forever and a day. Then, I saw that my library had the audiobook and I figured, meh, why not? Anastasia in space? Not really my thing and I don't get into sci-fi and I typically dislike retellings...but I went into with an open mind and was super impressed with how much I enjoyed it. It's got small A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet vibes, like a space crew that is hella diverse in so many ways. A female captain married to a woman, a non-human oracle, more than one robot/AI, a human, people of color, people of differing sexualities and ages...like, it's all there. Also, like what would happen if Kady reciprocated Aiden's love? Like...all of that in a novel along with a retelling of a classic tale. I didn't hate it, the pacing was fast, and the audiobook was really well done. I'm not mad about it, any of it. I am hoping that the sequel continues to up the stakes, cause they're already pretty high. I will for sure be checking that one out. Worst review of all time? Maybe, but like, if this book is sleeping on your shelf, maybe give it a go!

3/5/20: REREAD for Trash BAEs in Space.3/5/20: just as spectacular as I remember ---------------------------------------------------------Yall aren't ready for this. The OTPs. The heart breaks. THE FEELS. YOU AREN'T READY!--------------Full review can be found here: https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com...Y’all…. this story. HOLY SMOKES. I’m not sure the world is ready for this powerhouse. Anastasia meets Firefly but I’m telling you – Poston nailed this one. She knocked it out of the park. This will leave you screaming and yet begging for more.Short recap: Ana and her robot, D09, know no other life than being an outlaw on a scoundrel ship. They were picked up floating through space and have no memory of where they came from or who they really are. Ana wants nothing more than to save D09 by fixing the glitching of her illegal Metal. With the help of the space pirates that saved her, Ana embarks on a very dangerous quest to find a long lost spaceship that could hold the answer to saving her beloved best friend and companion. Nobody could have predicted the events she sets in motion by going after this infamous ship.I’m still reeling from this story and I read it months ago. This was everything I wanted in a sci-fi space pirate story and more. There was action, adventure, lies, betrayal, humor, romance, and unforgettable characters. From the very beginning of the story, I was hooked. Ana and D09 were brilliantly written. Immediately I had a soft spot for their Anastasia-ish backstory. Ana had no memory of her life before being picked up and therefore only knew the life of being a part of a ruthless pirate ship. Her absolute devotion to D09 was heartbreaking. This girl would do absolutely everything for the metal boy she loved, and D09 had the same feelings. I never thought my heart would break so much for a metal being but it did. If that doesn’t give you an idea of how masterful Poston is with words, I don’t know what will. But rest assured that Ana and D09 are not the only characters that will steal your heart away… enter Jax and Robb. I am not going to give anything away with these two but just prepare yourself for these two. Jax is one of the last of his kind, someone that can read a person’s future by touching their skin… hence the reason he always wears gloves. Robb is royalty and quickly discovering that everything he knew about his life and the life of his family may not be what he was raised to believe it is. I cannot say enough about how much these characters found a place in my heart with their wonderful development and growth. Where they started out at is not where they ended up.The pacing, plot, and world building blew me out of the water. It was so action packed and engaging that it was over before I wanted it to be. You want twists and turns that you never see coming? This book has it. This world Poston created was rich and diverse that I truly felt I was in the story with the characters. But that ending though… that ending had me screaming! I hope Poston is ready for people to love and hate her at the same time because it is going to happen.This review has been a struggle for me to write because I adored this story so much. When I have such strong love for a story, I feel as if I fail at properly expressing my thoughts without giving spoilers away. What I am trying to say in my review is this: read this story. You want to read this story. It is set up perfectly for a sequel and there is no doubt Poston has to continue this story. When it is announced, I’ll be one of the first to preorder. I need more Ana and D09, Robb and Jax. I need these character like I need air.

This book! Anastasia meets sci fi, I had to obviously love it. The books everything- Characters, Plot, Romance and Diversity were amazing and so well crafted.I think this book could have been a standalone if changed a bit but hopefully the sequel is just as good.

Vid review available here https://youtu.be/7QMOaPXjnFs 6th, May, 2020

***3.5 STARS*** RTC on Lair Of Books (link is in the Bio)Full review can also be viewed on Lair Of Books***3.5 stars***PLOTHeart Of Iron immediately appealed to my love for all things Sci-Fi & the bio pitched a ragtag crew of outlaws that I just had to meet on the pages. I’m not familiar with the story of Anastasia but it’s now on my list of flicks to watch during one of my ME time days. That being said, I went in strictly for the space adventure, outlaws, and D09 cause whether he was a droid, robot, or A.I., this is my sweet addiction & it all started with a sassy android named Iko but I digress…We meet Ana and D09 in the opening scene as they are about to get themselves into some trouble. She was warned by the captain of her ship not to deal with a shady info broker who fell through on their last deal. However, Ana is feeling desperate. D09’s memory core is glitching & time is running out, she figures why not try her luck since they’re out of options & need to find D09 a replacement. The info broker is meeting with a Iron Blood aka of the elite class to sell him the coordinates Ana & D09 are looking for. These coordinates lead to a ship where they believe they can find the solution to D09’s memory core glitch. Things of course don’t always go as planned & so begins the fast paced adventure between Ana, D09, and a Iron Blood who is also searching for answers…CHARACTERSAna- Our MC is a bit of a loose cannon, she’s willing to take all the risks as long as it means saving D09 from permanently dying down due to his memory core glitch. I found Ana a bit frustrating, she wasn’t above putting her crew mates in jeopardy & it just made her look hella selfish.D09- the android Ana loves, D09 cannot process feelings…he shouldn’t technically have them to begin with. We see him call these feelings he is having “glitches” & so the chemistry between him & Ana never really sets off until the very end.Rob- The Iron Blood who happens to be a Royal, more specifically he is the youngest heir to the throne. Rob is searching for his father who he was told perished back in the rebellion led by Metals (this is what they call droids like D09). Rob is actually one of my fave characters in this book, the author ships him with Jax (see below) & I found his inner dialogue whenever Jax is around to be so endearing! ?Jax- The pilot of the ship & another one of my faves! he is confident as hell & isn’t afraid to show it. Jax comes from a race of people who used to be able to read the future in the stars. He holds some secrets that make him all the more interesting. I would’ve loved to have had more time with this character…also his need to protect Rob is seriously swoon worthy!Crew- I seriously NEED more of this crew! we have MC who is a POC, a gay pilot, a lesbian Captain & her wife, and a disabled crew member. LEGIT I was LIVING for this crew!My only wish was to have had more time with these characters. Told in short multiple POV chapters, I found it very hard to connect with any of the characters. I do favor character driven over plot driven stories but welcome with open arms any book that manages to balance these both out. Heart of Iron is definitely more plot & action. Nonetheless, I appreciate the diversity in this cast & hope to spend more time with them in the follow-up..WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTSThis is a first for me…Heart of Iron was a real page turner & I really enjoyed this story. The bits & pieces of world building we were given throughout the crews adventure was SOOOO interesting! but that’s just it, it was scattered & sparse making for a disjointed reading experience. I LOVED this crew but the short chapters made it hard to connect with any one of them. We get some history on a rebellion that took place when the Metals took up arms against humans that I really wanted more info on. There’s this process called “HIVE” where I assume Metals free will is taken away & it’s made mandatory for all as a direct result of the rebellion. However, not all Metals are evil & there was a time where they helped & were medics to humans. There’s a scene where humans are viciously attacking a Metal who isn’t hurting anyone, he was just trying to show his respect at a royal event. This piqued my interest…how many other Metals are out there living in hiding…not HIVED? I have many questions & can honestly say I will be picking up the follow-up in hopes of satisfying my curiosity. Heart of Iron was a fast paced fun adventure that will have you flipping pages til the wee hours of the morning. Yes it’s true I wanted more from the characters & world building, but I’m choosing to see this as a sign that I enjoyed what I read & look forward to seeing what Poston serves up next ??*HUGE thanks to Balzer Bray/Harper, Edelweiss, and Ashley Poston for the early review copy in exchange for my honest opinion

THIS BOOK WAS AWESOME. An incredibly built world, characters that just popped off the page, and a plot that was nonstop excitement for the entire 450+ pages.

This story deserves a star rating of all the stars in the galaxy if I'm being honest. [SPOILER FREE]Ana. DI. Robb. Jax. These characters have coveted my heart until the end of time.Ashley is a prime example of an author who puts her characters through hell and back. I can't even list out all the times she made them suffer!DI stole my heart the most in all honesty. Throughout the entire book I just kept feeing my heart melt whenever he was either with Ana or trying to help her in the best possible way. He reminds me so much of Iko, but I think that's because they're both androids- though he just is too precious for this world! I really just need to hug him right now, and also I need to have a conversation with Ashley about him because W.H.Y.I'm trying very hard to not spoil you guys at all because all I want to do is rant about how amazing this story was, but I can't since that would involve spoilers.Though I'll just say it now: I'd recommend you know nothing going into this book. I mean the ultimate plot twist of the story happened, and I was left in a state somewhere between shock/ horror/ revulsion. It has been so long since I've enjoyed a sci-fi book to this degree, and I can't thank Ashley Poston enough for that.The character relationships are probably my favorite part besides the writing/ jokes. Jax's sass and jokes are the essence of this story as much as Ana and DI's friendship.Then my heart has to go and burst because of that ending. I just HAVE to mention the ending because W.H.Y.Heart of Iron is in my top three favorite books of the year, and I'm begging all of you to read it once it is released February 27, 2018. I certainly was not disappointed in the slightest by this beautiful, heart wrenching story, and I hope you guys are just as fascinated.This squad of four took me on a journey I'll never gonna forget.ALSO I NEED THE SEQUEL- ASHLEY I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT ENDING. MY. HEART. IS. IN. PIECES. ON. THE. GROUND.

“Stalo ban ach van’en. Stars are not afraid.” I have wanted to read this story since I heard it pitched as “Anastasia in space”, and while I definitely see some Anastasia elements, Heart of Iron truly shines in it’s characters and relationships. We follow Ana, a girl with no memory of her past, as she fights to save her Metal companion, Di from a broken memory core. Along the way, Anna meets new friends and uncovers secrets about her past that leads to revelations she would never have expects. Things I Liked I loved Ana and Di’s relationship. I instantly felt their history and connection. They have a fun and vibrant friendship that feels real, but they also had some deeper emotional moments that drew me in as well. You can just tell that they really love each other.I also really liked Jax and Robb. They were beyond ADORABLE together. They have some pretty instantaneous flirty when they meet and banter that was so fantastic to read.I liked a lot of the worldbuilding elements in the story. I really learning about the Solani people, even if I feel like it took a little long to get the info. I liked learning about the Iron Kingdom and their customs - who rules, how their political system is setup. And I thought the use of Androids , or Metals, was interesting, especially with the looming HIVE threat.There was a lot of diversity in the story, which is always fantastic. There’s a gay couple( Jax and Robb), a lesbian couple (Captain Seige and her wife), and many people of color.The chapters were so short and easy to read that I flew through this book! Things I Didn’t Like While I really liked the 4 main characters who have POVs in this book - their personalities all felt pretty similar (apart from Di). Ana, Jax, and Robb all have a confidence and sarcasm that, while engaging, felt kinda the same. Heart of Iron was a super quick, fun SciFi read, and I honestly think I would have liked it even more if it was a standalone. But I thoroughly enjoyed the many different character dynamics we see, and they really drew me in. Heart of Iron is a story of self discovery and fighting to create a better future. I received a copy of the book from Balzer + Bray via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

hi I'm in loveThis has, like, everything I like about sci-fi in it??? Such as twisty space politics, a ragtag crew that is actually family and banters with each other, snarky princes with rough backgrounds, a pining android struggling with feeling human . . . plus space battles, lots of sass and snark, and lovely, sharp writing.I'm struggling to use words in my reviews, so maybe whenever I re-read this (because hooo boy am I going to re-read this someday!! yes, I love it that much) I might be able to verbalize my thoughts on this book. But it was so epic, so good, and I basically loved pretty much everything about it . . . but I loved Di most of all.