Ash by Malinda Lo

Lo, Malinda Ash, 264 p. Little, Brown, 2009. Content: G (unless two girls finding love disturbs you). $16.99. Aisling adored her mother so much, that when she died, it took her years to come close to accepting that fact that she was gone forever. Her father’s new marriage doesn’t help things, and when he dies, Ash is left to work as a prisoner and a slave wherever her stepmother decides to take her. When Ash strikes up a friendship with Kaisa, the king’s Huntress, she must turn to an old acquaintance to help make her wishes come true, even if it means giving up part of her soul. At times I was thoroughly disgusted with Ash, as she violated everything she had ever learned about dealing with the Fair Folk, at other times I felt the pathos of her predicament as she slaved away for her stepmother. The romance is very light and well done – there is absolutely nothing to shy away from here. For schools where re-imagined fairy tales are popular, this one will go over well. MS –OPTIONAL, HS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library-Teacher