An unstoppable and absorbing force of nature.
Is 24 too young for a mid-life crisis? If so, something else is seriously going wrong in the otherwise tidy mind of Briar Rose “Buggy” Pierce. Crippling nightmares stalk her in her sleep. Terrifying hallucinations leave her afraid to trust anything while she’s awake. Her drinking is getting out of control and there is no way she can talk to her friends or family about any of this. Just as she’s reaching a mental breaking point, Buggy is abducted by two men with a story that pushes the boundaries of belief for any rational person. Claiming to have a connection to her past and an opportunity to save her future, the strangers try to convince Buggy that she’ll only be safe with their help. But help doesn’t often come in the form of harsh metal handcuffs and tales of secret societies designed to guard against an ancient evil. On the other hand, the two men seem to know important and personal things about Buggy’s life. Things about her past, about the parents who left her up for adoption, and even about the disturbing dreams that have been plaguing her. And according to them, there are people out there who wish to kill her. Time is not on their side and Buggy will have to either trust these cultish kidnappers or risk the lives of herself and her loved ones.
Ash and Gold by Lydia R. Outland is an original supernatural story about a young woman who is completely at odds with herself. Everything about Buggy is just a little bit awkward or uncomfortable, from her outrageously large eyes to her compulsively overthinking nature. These qualities make Buggy as genuine of a lead character as you could ask for in a story that takes such a bizarre supernatural turn. It is most impressive the way the author is able to give Buggy a completely unique voice from her other incarnations, all while maintaining her true nature. Readers will also enjoy the tightly controlled pace of the story, with small details handed out like pieces of candy given as worthwhile incentives to keep reading. Come for the stimulating supernatural suspense, but stick around for some of the most compelling characters this genre has to offer! Anxious anticipation bubbles forth like an unstoppable and absorbing force of nature in Ash and Gold.
