King of Ashes

Really well done, loved the lead character Roman, who was a really complex protagonist. He was basically a good person who had to make some hard decisions to save his family from some local gang members. What he’s willing to do to save his family takes him down a slippery slope both legally and morally. I am a huge fan of this author’s work and this book didn’t disappoint. It feels like this book is a set up for a series, I hope so! It was nice to see Ike from Razor Blades Tears make a cameo appearance.

Absolutely mesmerizing! The writing is top-tier; Cosby truly is a maestro in his craft!The plot unfolds brilliantly, and the character development is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s gritty, raw, and brimming with emotion. The ending absolutely knocked the wind out of me! While it took a moment to hook me, by the halfway point, I was completely captivated, and by the conclusion, I was head over heels.The narration by Adam Lazzare-White was outstanding and deserves every accolade! He breathed life into the story with his incredible voice, making the experience truly unforgettable. Just like the previous titles they collaborate on.

This man can write a story! S. A. Cosby is a genius author. Not only is it an interesting plot, but his literary skills are prevelant throughout !

"King of Ashes" is by the author of "All The Sinners Bleed," "Razorblade Tears" and "Blacktop Wasteland." All three of those books were brilliant, propulsive suspense thrillers, set in the South, that outshine Colby's latest entry in what is being called Southern noir fiction."King of Ashes" resembles his earlier books, but feels like a slightly-off retread. It is also set in the South (Virginia), with a predominantly African-American cast of characters, including the protagonist. But this time, something feels off. Our main character is Roman Carruthers, who is the brother of Dante and Neveah. Someone has run their father off the road and now he's in a coma. His wife and the kids mom disappeared one day when the kids were young teens, a few days after it was revealed she was having an affair with a close family friend and business partner of their dad.I'm not sure why this one didn't resonate as positively with me as his other books, perhaps because NONE of the characters in "King of Ashes" are someone we (the reader) would root for to succeed. And although his previous books were dark and violent, this one takes darkness and violence to whole new levels."King of Ashes" is still a great read, and an exciting suspense novel, it's just not as breathtaking, thrilling ride as Cosby's other books. Just like Pixar's streak of transcendent animated films that expanded the genre eventually came to an end with a simply "very good" film, so does Cosby's end here. Maybe he can rekindle the magic with a sequel? It worked for Pixar!

I found this book to be painful at times. My guess is that possibly this book isn't meant to be enjoyed so much as it is meant to point out the cruelty that can and does exist in life.