Yarde Reviews & Book Promotion: Book Review: The Throne of Ash by Lissy Porter

The Throne of Ash

By Lissy Porter

Publication Date: 1st May 2025

Publisher: M J Publishing

Page Length: 350

Genre: Historical Fantasy

A Queen. A Princess. And a Consort who must be chosen to ensure the future of the Throne of Ash.

The Queen's Face masks all—even the woman who wears it. None may see her without it, not even her Consort responsible for ensuring she brings forth a healthy daughter to succeed her. If he fails, being cast aside is the most favourable of outcomes.

When Queen Cecily unknowingly determines on her sister's lover as her Consort, ambition, jealousy, and the demands of courtly etiquette threaten the stability of the Throne of Ash.

Princess Bess knows only too well her responsibilities towards her sister, the queen, but when one of the powerful noble families attempts to ensnare both sisters with one lover, there can only ever be one winner.

The Throne of Ash is a Tudor-esque fantasy in which women rule, and men are kept in the background, of little use, aside from when a Consort must be chosen. Then, court intrigues, and politics come to the fore in a deadly game of politics and etiquette that sets sister against sister.

The Throne of Ash has never been more on fire.

A thrilling Tudor-esque fantasy with all the deceit, politics and Courtly romance of the Tudor era.

Princess Elizabeth, the heir of the House of Ash, dreams of a life far removed from her current existence. She is deeply in love with Harry from the House of Fish and envisions a simpler, happier life with him and the children they hope to have in the future. The terms of their future together have already been discussed and are almost agreed upon.

However, everything changes when Harry unexpectedly appears at Choosing Day, presented by Lady Alice, the matriarch of the House of Fish. To Elizabeth’s dismay, her sister, the Queen, selects Harry to become her Consort.

With her dreams shattered and her heart broken, Elizabeth must put on a brave front and continue as if everything is normal. Yet, as Harry remains increasingly present in her life, it becomes challenging to maintain this façade.

Will she be able to remain a loyal sister to the Queen, or will her heart ultimately override her reason?

In her enchanting novel, “The Throne of Ash,” Lissy Porter presents a captivating Tudor-escapist fantasy that intricately weaves together elements of history and imagination. The narrative draws striking parallels between the real-life Tudor dynasty, known for its political intrigue and opulent court life, and the fictional House of Ash, a realm marked by its own power struggles and rich heritage. With vivid descriptions and well-crafted characters, Porter invites readers to immerse themselves in a world where the grandeur of Tudor England meets the complexities of her own creation, resulting in a tale that is both alluring and richly layered.

In a society where women hold positions of deep respect and admiration, men’s roles have become narrowly defined, primarily centred around their capacity for reproduction. In this world, women wield power and influence, shaping culture and making decisions, while men find themselves relegated to the sidelines, their worth measured solely by their ability to contribute to procreation. This stark division creates a complex dynamic, reducing men’s significance to a biological function and raising questions about identity, purpose, and the very fabric of relationships in this unconventional society. There are exceptions to this rule, such as the Queen's father, Edmund, who holds a unique position in court, although he does not possess any real power. The only time men gather in large numbers is during the “Choosing Day”, where they are present solely for procreative purposes. It is up to the Queen to choose whom she shares her bed with, but this is only until she becomes pregnant; a baby girl is the desired outcome, while boys are simply set aside.

The story unfolds through the eyes of Princess Elizabeth, affectionately known as Bess, the younger sister of Queen Cecily. Bess is an exceptionally relatable and charming heroine, brimming with warmth and earnestness, whose hopes and dreams often languish in the shadow of her sister's regal duties. As the heir, she yearns for a simpler existence—a life spent alongside the man she loves, and capturing the world around her through the delicate strokes of her paintbrush. However, Bess’s world spirals into chaos when Lady Alice introduces Harry, to the Queen on the fateful Choosing Day. The moment the Queen selects Harry, a devastating silence blankets Bess's heart, shattering her dreams into a million fragments. In that instant, the life she envisioned—filled with love, artistry, and fulfilment—slips through her fingers like grains of sand. Bess is a deeply emotional character, her heart laid bare for all to see, creating an immediate connection with the reader. Her profound longing and vulnerability invite us into her world, making us unwaveringly invested in her fate, her desires, and her ultimate quest for happiness amidst the turmoil that envelops her.

Queen Cecily spends the majority of the narrative adorned in the Queen's Face, a symbol of her unwavering authority. This mask allows her to embody an image of poise and iron self-control, yet it does little to ease the burdens of her reign. The court is alive with intrigue, and Lady Alice, with her newfound influence, schemes to usurp even more power, casting a shadow over Cecily's rule. There are fleeting moments throughout the story when she is without the mask, revealing glimpses of the real Cecily—a woman grappling with the weight of her duties and her own desires. In these rare instances, the reader witnesses the vulnerability that lies beneath her composed exterior. In the opulent, yet often perilous, realm of court politics, she tirelessly works to create a stable kingdom. With each strategic decision and diplomatic endeavour, she remains resolute in her commitment to her noble legacy.

The novel features several supporting characters that add depth to the story. Lady Mary, Princess Elizabeth’s chief lady-in-waiting, understands Bess's heart better than anyone else. Lady Grace, the Queen Mother, does her best to support her daughters, although she sometimes comes across as cold. Edmund, the Queen Mother’s consort and the father of Cecily and Bess, is depicted as a dignified and loving father. Harry, Queen Cecily's consort and former lover of Bess, is a conflicted character who never aspired to be honoured with such a position. He finds himself trapped in the political scheming of Lady Alice. Lady Alice is portrayed as cold, calculating, and power-hungry.

The setting is meticulously established, and the royal court is rich with tradition and simmering with political intrigue. At its heart lies the imposing Throne of Ash, a monumental symbol of authority. The captivating visage of the Queen, highlighted by an ethereal white complexion and striking red lips, presents an expressionless facade that epitomises authority and regality. This iconic appearance serves as both a symbol of power and an artistic statement. However, the lead-based paint employed to achieve this vivid colouration poses significant risks to the skin. The irony lies in the beauty's duality—while it commands admiration and reverence, it simultaneously harbours a perilous secret that can inflict harm. The Palace of Ash itself stands as a grand testament to an age-old legacy, its majestic halls echoing with whispers of power and ambition. The royal gardens flourish with flora, their beauty a stark contrast to the underlying tensions that prevail within the palace walls. The Basilica of Ash, with its towering spires and sacred ambience, draws the reader's imagination, while the Queen's Hall showcases elegance, but also power. In a quieter corner lies Elizabeth's art studio, a haven of creativity and dreams. The Throne of Ash, while a beacon of permanence and tradition, also radiates an unsettling aura, stirring a sense of disquiet that lingers just beneath the surface—an enigma that the reader uncovers only later in the narrative. This richly detailed setting not only highlights the intricate power dynamics at play but also shapes the characters’ actions and aspirations.

Colour serves as a vibrant thread woven throughout this story, manifesting both in luxurious fabrics and in the artistry of paint on canvas. The nobles are draped in elaborate garments that swirl with opulence and the symbols of their noble Houses, but it is the royal family's hues of purple, black, white, red, and yellow that dance through the air, each colour steeped in its own significance, enhancing the atmosphere with a kaleidoscope of emotion and meaning. The shimmering elegance and profound symbolism of the colours chosen to adorn oneself not only indicate the House to which each faction belongs but also reflect their inherent power and influence. In the grand court, those Houses that stand at a distance from the royal circle don garments that are considerably less elaborate and draped in muted tones. In this realm, colour isn't merely decorative; it is a powerful statement that echoes the hierarchy and relationships between the ruling and the ruled.

If you have a passion for historical fantasy fiction, then "The Throne of Ash" by Lissy Porter is an exceptional novel that you won't want to miss. This captivating story weaves together intricate historical elements with rich fantasy lore, inviting readers into a vivid world filled with political intrigue, complex characters, and breathtaking settings. This book comes highly recommeneded.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde

Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion