Rising from the ashes

is definitely a phrase that one would use to describe Beyond the Ashes. The leading character, Ruby, is a widow who has decided to devote her life to nursing after the loss of her husband. When she chooses to join her brother Robert in San Francisco’s post-earthquake rebuilding in 1906, she’s made the decision to also accept what life there brings her.

I really appreciate the detail that Karen took in writing this novel. It’s apparent that she did a lot of research on the earthquake and the rebuilding of San Francisco, as well as early 20th century medical technology (especially regarding cancer research of the day).

The characters’ stories are so well-knit. I love the interaction between the characters. It was refreshing to read true-to-life issues faced by characters who face the challenges of their own immortality and their own failures and at the same time know and take comfort in the fact that their futures are held in the hands of a mighty God. The attention to detail of the characters is fantastic, and dialog is very neat and easy to read.

I will say, however, that the ending seemed a bit forced and rushed, and I felt like there should’ve been one more chapter to try to tidy up some things. I hope that the third novel in this series addresses some of the questions that I took from finishing the reading!

About the Author

Karen Barnett is the author of “Beyond the Ashes,” “Out of the Ruins,” and “Mistaken.” Named the 2013 Writer of Promise by Oregon Christian Writers, Karen lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband and two kids. When she’s not writing novels, she loves speaking at women’s events, libraries, and book clubs.

Find Karen online: website, Twitter, Facebook

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