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King of Ash and Bone (Shattered Realms Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.0 out of 5 stars 529 ratings

When flying monsters break through the veil into her world, Mackenzie Scott has nothing left to lose. Her brother has been taken, her future has vanished, and all that remains is a desperate need for revenge. After discovering the breach the creatures used as a gateway, Mackenzie devises a plan to stop them, whatever the cost.

When she finds an injured stranger in the street, he just might be the key she needs to succeed. What Mackenzie doesn't know is that this stranger isn't the helpless boy he appears to be. And he's got plans of his own.

Thrown into a dying city in another realm, Mackenzie is powerless to get back. With the gateway closing, time is not on her side. But the stranger is, and if they can escape execution, this girl and her monster might be able to save both their worlds.

A tale of magic, survival, duty, and romance. Perfect for fans of Angelfall and The 5th Wave.
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From the Publisher

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00Q7M4OMK
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 2, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 204 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ Shattered Realms
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 529 ratings

About the author

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Melissa Wright
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Melissa is the author of more than a dozen YA and fantasy novels including The Frey Saga and Between Ink and Shadows. When not writing she can generally be found talking about a book, painting something from a book, or tucked between headphones listening to a book. It’s kind of a theme. She loves reasonable heroines in unreasonable situations, noble--if brooding--heroes, slow burn and sweet kisses, a lot of havoc, and a little magic.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
529 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story engaging with a unique premise that draws them in, and they appreciate its well-written prose. Moreover, the pacing receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as a wonderful start to a new series. However, the character development receives mixed reactions from customers.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

31 customers mention "Story quality"26 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the story's unique premise and find it engaging, with one customer noting how the world-building captivates the reader.

"...Kenzie is naturally street smart and resourceful, everything you want in a dystopian heroine, but with real vulnerability hidden beneath it all...." Read more

"...Creative with hints of romance, the story draws the reader in and moves quickly leaving the reader hanging for the continuing story." Read more

"...I enjoyed the creative ideas in this book, but had some trouble getting into the story. Once I got to the end, I started enjoying it more...." Read more

"...The book is a blend of magic, survival, duty, and romance, making it a thrilling read for fans of fantasy and young adult genres" Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written, with one customer noting its rich prose and another describing it as an easy read to pass the time.

"...Wright has clearly revised her original edition because the prose was richer, the characters breathed real life and previously confusing events were..." Read more

"...Here we have two people from very different worlds. A very well written story, I enjoyed reading it." Read more

"...It is written well from Mackenzie and Hunters view...." Read more

"...It was an easy read to pass the time but I wish there was more depth and character development" Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one customer describing it as a wonderful start to a new series.

"...Everything is set up for a truly unique epic series...." Read more

"This is a wonderful story to read and it is a wonderful start to a new series...." Read more

"...All in all, this book is an impressive start to what promises to be a great series of books. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy." Read more

"Great opening to the series..." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"5 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with some finding them great while others note issues with character actions not making immediate sense.

"...her original edition because the prose was richer, the characters breathed real life and previously confusing events were made clear...." Read more

"...But, the main characters annoyed the crap out of me and I felt like new rules were made up to keep them apart. I was just sick of the immature drama." Read more

"Melissa Wright is one helluva story teller. Her characters are strong, resourceful and memorable. Her world-building captivates...." Read more

"...and the it felt a bit shallow, the characters lost my interest..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2015
    2nd Read-through: When I found out Melissa Wright was planning on releasing a sequel to King of Ash and Bone, I decided to re-read the original. My initial impression remained true. This is a dystopian novel unlike anything you've read before. In place of zombies or nuclear warfare, the real enemy are wicked fae. Or are they wicked? This is the question as Kenzie meets Hunter, a young man who is much more than he appears to be. I really enjoyed Kenzie and Hunter's perspectives as they led us through the magical apocalypse. Kenzie is naturally street smart and resourceful, everything you want in a dystopian heroine, but with real vulnerability hidden beneath it all. Hunter both protects and puts Kenzie in harm's way, though that's not his intention. The fae in this story are refreshingly darker and willing to do whatever necessary to steal energy from our world. Everything is set up for a truly unique epic series.
    A few things I noticed this read-through that were missing last time. Wright has clearly revised her original edition because the prose was richer, the characters breathed real life and previously confusing events were made clear. Plus we get extra content, always my favorite thing about revised editions! Melissa Wright has put surprising depth and heart into an otherwise harsh genre. Much like The Walking Dead, Shattered Realms makes you care about its characters to a level you're willing to follow them, no matter where the journey takes them. Anxiously awaiting the sequel!

    1st Read-through: Almost a year after I first began reading this epic dystopian novel, I finally finished it! The best part was once I started it up again, I couldn't put it down until I read the last word. I have been a long time fan of Melissa Wright's works, ever since I stumbled upon Frey in the "free" category on Amazon. I fell in love with the Frey Saga and hounded the poor author until she had finished her fantastical series. The Descendants was equally exciting for me, albeit a different genre. I enjoyed seeing this author grow and show off her talent for characters with a lot of snark and personality. King of Ash and Bone is her latest series, this time a dystopian fairy tale set not to far from the present. Wright did a wonderful job drawing you into her characters lives, and especially detailing the sudden fall of civilization. King of Ash and Bone is very different from her previous two series and promises even more surprises and wondrous discoveries for the future. Impatiently waiting for the next installment!
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2018
    King of Ash and Bone starts with a bang, literally. A massive storm arrives and destroys almost everything, the apocalypse is at hand and its not zombies. Hulking beasts are terrorizing everyone and the whispers say they are fey. Mackenzie stepped up to care for her brother when their mother was killed in a car wreck and their father abandons them. When he's attacked and scared by the monsters, Riley leaves to join the army to fight them. Now Mackenzie spends her days trying to find Riley. When she comes upon monsters attacking a young man in the street, Mackenzie pulls a Babe Ruth with a metal pipe and saves Hunter from the monsters. But Hunter is more than he appears and Mackenzie becomes drawn in a battle between realms for survival. Creative with hints of romance, the story draws the reader in and moves quickly leaving the reader hanging for the continuing story.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2018
    Mackenzie and her brother survive the end of the world/the apocalypse is here event which happens to be magical. She saves Hunter and they go on a dangerous journey to right wrongs. I enjoyed the creative ideas in this book, but had some trouble getting into the story. Once I got to the end, I started enjoying it more. Might read the next one. I received an arc for an honest review.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2024
    The story follows Mackenzie Scott, who is driven by a desperate need for revenge after flying monsters break through the veil into her world, taking her brother and shattering her future. She devises a plan to stop these creatures, but things take an unexpected turn when she encounters an injured stranger who might be the key to her success. This stranger, however, is not what he seems and has his own plans. The book is a blend of magic, survival, duty, and romance, making it a thrilling read for fans of fantasy and young adult genres
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2020
    The ideas and world building were different and interesting. But, the main characters annoyed the crap out of me and I felt like new rules were made up to keep them apart. I was just sick of the immature drama.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2021
    This story ended on a cliffhanger and left more questions than it answered. Overall its a good story that keeps you turning the page to find out what will happen next and more about the different worlds.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2018
    This is a wonderful story to read and it is a wonderful start to a new series. I couldn't put the story down after I started reading it and I am so glad I got this story to read. I highly recommend this story to everyone and if you buy it you will love it.
    I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2019
    This story made me stop and think about what else could be out there beyond our world. Anything is possible, I believe. I enjoyed reading about Mackenzie and what she had been through in her life. Then we meet Hunter and learn about him. Here we have two people from very different worlds. A very well written story, I enjoyed reading it.

Top reviews from other countries

  • tcm1956
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well written fantasy
    Reviewed in Australia on September 11, 2019
    I love all fantasy sci-fi books especially when they are well written and flow with a good story
  • Caroline
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tou won't regret readi g
    Reviewed in Canada on September 12, 2019
    Good plot, nicely written 😁
  • Luke Goodeve
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2019
    Good read
  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars a unique blend of portal fantasy and post-apocalyptic Earth
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2015
    I've made no secret of the fact that I adored the Descendants series, so when I saw Melissa Wright had just released a new book I didn't hesitate in grabbing it and reading ASAP. I love the way she writes, and especially how she writes action and romance.

    I'll start by saying I didn't love this as much as the Descendants series, but that was purely a personal thing. I didn't fall as hard for the characters, and I'm a character driven reader. Now that's said, let's talk about all the things I did love:

    Mackenzie, the MC of this series, is another determined, take-no-crap female and she's awesome. She'll go to any length for her brother and I really liked that about her. I also liked how when she found herself in another (mirror?) world, she freaked out. A lot. She went quiet and withdrawn, and eventually she pulled herself out of it and got s*** done. I love my badass ladies who aren't afraid to show emotions or break down. Hunter, too, I loved, but I never loved him. I admired him, sure, and liked a lot about him, but he didn't have a spark for me. Still, I enjoyed reading about him, and especially learning about his world and his place in the realm of monsters.

    I liked a bunch of other things about this - how we're thrown into the action from the start, the wreckage Earth has become, the introduction to a creepy ruling force in the other world, the perfect mix of post-apocalyptic and fantasy, and the prospect of a human girl becoming queen of a dying world of inhumans. I did miss a lot of world-building, though, and didn't quite understand or visualise the dying lands as well as I'd have liked, and crossing through the gateway confused me at times; I couldn't understand what was happening. But I overlooked these things for the great plot and writing.

    King of Ash and Bone is a unique blend of portal fantasy and post-apocalyptic Earth. Instantly compelling. I have a hunch I'll like book two much more than this, and I can't wait to read it!
  • Suze123
    3.0 out of 5 stars Lost me along the way
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2019
    This book started well enough but lost me along the way. The story was confused / confusing in parts and felt very rushed towards the end. Unfortunately it didn't inspire me to read subsequent volume(s).
    One person found this helpful
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