A woman broken, rebuilt, can conquer any sword! What a powerful novel that you will want to read ASAP. There are some trigger warnings in it, but definitely one you should pick up! I mean how can you go wrong with medieval women with swords on battlefields!!

This was unfortunately not my favorite, but it’s a solid 3 stars. We follow M who’s older sister was sexually assaulted before the start of the novel. After a very Brock Turner -esque sequence of events, M is still struggling with feeling she could do more and wants see her sister’s rapist see real punishment.

While the themes of the story were something i wanted to see and want more books about, i think this one didn’t hit the right tone for my own enjoyment. M feels whiny and is very selfish throughout the book. Not to say some of what M is going through isn’t realistic, but more that i would’ve liked to see her recognizing more of her mistakes by the end of the novel with a resolution.

There’s also a historical fiction story within the story that M is writing and i didn’t realize that going in. It’s not my favorite writing style.

*ARC given to me by Penguinteen in exchange for an honest review*

3.9/5 stars

'We are the Ashes, We Are the Fire' follows Em Morales as she struggles to accept the sentence, or lack of, of her sister's rapist, a student who assaulted her at a frat party. To try and make sense of this lack of justice and find a way to heal, Em turns to the life and legacy of Marguerite de Bressieux, a 15th-century French noblewoman who is legendary for being an avenging knight for rape victims.

Overall thoughts: I think the plot and the message of this book are extremely powerful. Em's love and her desire to protect her elder sister are written in a way that makes them almost tangible, almost like you, the reader, can feel their pain from the pages. Also, an avenging female knight who avenges rape victims? Such a badass. The only reason why this isn't a four-star read for me is that I didn't really enjoy the main character as much as I wanted to, and I occasionally found it difficult to keep up with the alternating timeline.

However, this book has a powerful message and has an extremely unique take on survival and healing, so I would recommend it, but please check TWs before reading!

We are the Ashes, We are the Fire is a compelling and immersive novel that confronts the rage and helplessness of injustice. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating, but a powerful read.

This book will make you angry because this kind of stuff happens all the time in life and it's sickening. Regardless, it's a great one to read.

This book was enraging, empowering, and I really loved it. There are two stories in one. Em's story and a story in verse she is writing. I loved both stories and I loved how there were illustrations along with the verse.

Blown away

This book should stroke a fire that is within all of us. The one that fights when there are injustices one that screams when no one wants to listen.

The story shines a huge spotlight on the R*pe culture that is heavily present in today’s society, where victims are afraid of coming forward because they will be blamed.

I like that it is written from the POV of a victims family member, it shows how the act not only effects the victim but anyone in their life. While it was a little frustrating that Em made things about herself a lot, the story is beautiful written. It has great Representation as well. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author.

Em wants justice for her older sister, even though it will not erase her sisters pain. When the sentencing does not match the verdict, Em struggles to to move on and soon finds out that she must create her own justice. We are the Ashes, We are the Fire is a gut wrenching account of rape and the brutal tolls it takes on the survivor. The story will transport readers into the Em's world and have them experience all the emotions she has. McCullough does not shy away from the raw emotions but instead leans in to the raw human complexities, turning her characters into realistic and complex individuals. While Em at times can be superficial and views her actions through a savior complex, she is a work in progress. A sister who wants to right the world for her sister as well as fix the justice system. She makes mistakes, is stubborn and many times gets things wrong but in a difficult situation with emotions on high, the decision process can be warped. Through out the book, Em discovers that the fight she is fighting may be ill placed and she needs to find a constructive outlet. There are two narratives, one is Em's and the other the heroine she is crafting a story about. Both narratives are strong female characters. Jess, Em's friend, is a well developed secondary character with emotional depth, as well as a full backstory. While Em can be much for some readers, this book is an important look at how our justice system fails survivors of rape and too often looks to protect the perpetrator.

Joy McCullough’s debut, Blood Water Paint, a novel-in-verse about Artemisia Gentileschi is one of the most stunning books I’ve ever read. Her latest, We Are Ashes, We Are The Fire is timely, infuriating, and heartbreaking. This book is a hybrid of verse and prose and centers around a teenage girl on a quest for revenge after her sister’s rapist gets away with no prison time. She finds solace and inspiration in the words of a fifteenth-century French noblewoman, Marguerite de Bressieux, a legendary woman known as an avenging knight for rape victims.

This book was amazing. Touches on some really series issues. But does it in a way to keep you going, not the type of book you feel like you need to put down because you can’t “handle” the intensity. Highly recommend.

This is a great title to put in the hands of middle grade readers who are concerned about the state of our country. With that being said, it is not subtle.

Ohhhh yeah this was difficult to read major trigger warnings for rape.

I'm giving this 3.5 stars FYI!

I... kind of had to sit with this after I finished. I kind of feel weird reviewing this just because of how deep and serious the topics discussed in the book were. Em describing her sister as she has to suffer through not only the trial/sentencing aspect of her rape but also having to go through life after as a victim. I think this book does a good job in portraying what is actually occurring in this country where victims are either not believed or their rapists walk away with a slap on the hand.

Overall, I think this is a worthy read (please read the trigger warnings beforehand), and I don't really want to review the technical aspects of this because in my opinion this wasn't the purpose of this book. Rather it's to shout over and over: believe the victim, always and blame the rapist, always.

Thank you Penguin Teen for sending me a copy (obligated to say of course this an unbiased review).

We Are the Ashes, We Are the Fire by Joy McCullough
Available Now

CW: rape, bullying, intentional misgendering

Many novels have tackled the trauma inflicted upon victims of sexual assault, but this is the first I’ve read that focuses on how the family members deal with that trauma. When a rapist’s guilty verdict lands him no jail time, the Morales family finds their hopes for justice for Nor completely devastated. After an already excruciating public trial, the public backlash against them for “disrupting” the beloved local college team is overwhelming for the entire family. While Nor tries to find some sense of peace and stability at college, Em finds herself obsessed with seeking justice online for her sister. As Em discovers that the wide online support she and her family received during the trial has waned for other victims of crimes, her ability to cope with the trauma becomes more than she can bear. As she spirals out of control with unauthorized columns in the school paper, onlines posts that create an unsafe environment for her sister, and a new found obsession with a legendary French noblewoman turned warrior, Em will push everyone who loves her away. It is only at her very lowest point that Em will find the strength and focus to help her family heal and move forward.
The Morales family felt incredibly real and relatable. Nor and Em’s relationship becomes increasingly strained as Em’s reactions to Nor’s silence make life harder for Nor, triggering a vicious cycle of Nor becoming angry and hurt and pushing Em away. Em parents are at a complete loss over how to handle any of it, both frustrated that they can’t get justice for their daughter and long to move on and go back to being a happy family. They’re an incredibly close family with strong bonds over food cooking. It’s that bond that slowly brings them back together when Em’s new friend Jess begins to spend more and more time at the Morales home. Jess has their own struggles with their family. Parents who are divorcing and possibly moving far apart, coming into their own sense of self and identity, and losing their best friend for the summer to a performance camp. As Em and Jess try to find the balance in their friendship, Em begins to find the way toward mending her relationship with her sister and parents.
As Em struggles to find a way for her family to heal, which is a burden she has taken on herself, Jess introduces her to a fascinating historical figure and triggers an obsession. Em writes the life story of a fifteenth-century French noblewoman, Marguerite de Bressieux as Jess illuminates the pages. Marguerite’s story is written in verse and the back and forth between the prose and verse was beautiful to read. Em holds nothing back in describing the pain and hardship of Marguerite’s journey, just as McCullough holds nothing back in describing the pain and anguish of the Morales family.
We Are the Ashes, We Are the Fire is an incredible story of revenge, trauma, and the bonds of family. It is an unflinching look at how women are treated within the legal system and how misogyny infiltrates our everyday lives.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

I think for the right person this could be a good book. I however I am not the right person. I think the right person is someone who is a young adult. I think that they’d be more apt to be able to relate to the book than someone in their 40s.

With that being said I enjoy one of the stories in it more then the other. I am not a fan of the Marquerite story line. I am not sure if it’s the way it’s written or the story itself?

I'm so sad that I did not like this book. When I started it, it pulled me in with the court case for Nor from her sister, Em's, pov. After a while I realize we have slowly drifted away from what I thought was the central theme to focusing on a 15th century medieval story Em is writing and her budding friendship with Jess who is non-binary. The story is written in prose and verse. Each time a chapter started the verse always threw me off to the point I just breezed thru it, hoping it didn't have much to do with the storyline. I got almost halfway and I found myself forcing my way thru the book. As of now, this is a dnf for me. I am optimistic I may pick it up again later, probably a physical copy.

Much appreciation to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Marguerite de Bressieux and think this story is both a gut-wrenching and empowering for women of all ages. The cover and illustrations within the book are beautiful.

Em’s older sister, Nor, was raped at a fraternity party. The rapist is found guilty, but the judge does not sentence him to any jail time, because the rapist needs to put “all this” behind him. But Nor and her family can’t put this violent crime behind them. It has torn them all apart. As journalists and writers they have always dealt with things by using their writing and their words. But what if their words create more trauma? How can they heal when there are no consequences? Em becomes obsessed with uncovering the story of a medieval female warrior, but as she tries to channel centuries of rage into her storytelling she only spirals deeper.
Yes it’s hard. But yes, you need this book in your life. Your need the Morales family (Jess included!) in your life. Freaking brilliant book. Joy McCullough knocks it out of the park with this one.

I really wanted to love this book.
The cover is beautiful and the synopsis immediately caught my eye.
Sadly I just didn’t love this book. I liked it enough to keep reading but there was something missing for me.

This novel is told in prose and verse. There’s a story within the story.
We follow Em Morales and her story of poems written in prose where we meet Marguerite.
While I enjoyed both stories I felt like towards the last half we mostly got one.
I was more invested in Em’s story, trying to get justice for her sister Nor who was raped. Sadly Em’s character went downhill for me and I honestly didn’t like her much. I felt like she made everything that happened to her sister about herself, and she completely ignored everyone to write her story.

I really did like the writing though I just think this book wasn’t for me.
I plan to read more by this author soon!

Thank you to penguin teen #partner for the ARC of this book.

I really admire the concept of this story alongside the likable characters. It tackles important issues that many people goes through each day but never acknowledges. The message is spot on. It is interesting, relatable and engaging

Quick Stats
Overall: 3.5 stars
Characters: 3.5/5
Plot: 3/5
Writing: 5/5
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I kept going back and forth on this one. Joy McCullough is a beautiful writer. The subject matter was so important. The addition of historical fiction and how Marguerite’s story is woven in was phenomenal. But I could not get myself to like Em.
I loved pretty much every other character—Sometimes Jess felt a bit immature to me. I felt like they were melodramatic at times. But Marianne drove me crazy. She was so selfish and self-righteous. Her character had a lot of potential for growth, but I feel as if she just regressed. Every thing that happened to her resulted in her lashing out overdramatically and immaturely. I understand she was struggling with trauma, but it was hard to read without getting annoyed. Also, I think she snapped out of it way too easily and suddenly. Within like one chapter towards the end she did a 180, and honestly? I feel like in reality, she probably would have needed a lot of therapy to get to that point at all, let alone in a 24 hour span.
The plot started out really strong. I was swept away and read the first 60% in one sitting. Seeing the way everyone was handling what happened to Nor differently, getting to know Jess, and getting led into Marguerite’s story was really well done and absorbing. I loved how Jess took Em to medieval sword fighting lessons. And I honestly couldn’t get enough of the writing itself. Plus, as someone who lives in Western Washington, all of the references to Seattle were fun. I now really want to visit that Illuminated Texts exhibit after COVID is over.
However, at about that 60% mark, Em started shutting everyone out and only writing Marguerite’s story. Don’t get me wrong, Marguerite’s story was one of my favorite parts of the novel, but it very suddenly took over and the actual plot of the book just completely dropped off the radar for several chapters. It was a very sudden change from mostly Em to mostly Marguerite and kind of made it hard to stay interested in the book for a while.
It did end strongly, if a little unrealistically.
I would still recommend giving this book a shot if it sounds up your alley, it just wasn’t for me.