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    Written in the Ashes
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    Written in the Ashes
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    Written in the Ashes
    Ebook626 pages12 hours

    Written in the Ashes

    By K. Hollan Van Zandt

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    "Written in the Ashes is one of those rare novels that sets 'history' afire, to bathe readers in the glow of a greater, hotter truth. Fans of The Mists of Avalon will find this romantic/alchemical/feminist/spiritual epic equally captivating."—Tom Robbins, bestselling author of Tibetan Peach Pie: A True Account of an Imaginative Life and Villa Incognito

    In the bloody clash between Christians and pagans in fifth-century Alexandria, a slave girl becomes the last hope for preserving peace in this evocative and thrilling tale reminiscent of The Mists of Avalon. A blend of history, adventure, religion, romance, and mysticism, this shares the untold story of the events that led to the burning of the Great Library of Alexandria.

    After she is abducted from her home in the mountains of Sinai, Hannah is enslaved and taken to Alexandria, where she becomes the property of Alizar, an alchemist and pagan secretly working to preserve his culture. Revered for her beautiful singing voice, the young slave is invited to perform at the city's Great Library, where she becomes friends with the revered mathematician and philosopher, Hypatia, as well as other pagans who curate its magnificent collections. Determined to help them uphold pagan culture and traditions, Hannah embarks on a dangerous quest to unite the fractured pieces of the Emerald Tablet—the last hope to save the pagans and create peace.

    On this odyssey that leads her to the lost oracles of Delfi and Amun-Ra and to rediscovered ancient cities and rituals, Hannah will experience forbidden loves, painful betrayals, and poignant reunions. But her efforts may be in vain. Returning to Alexandria, Hannah finds a city engulfed in violence, even as her own romantic entanglements come to a head. Now, it's not only her future, but the fate of all Alexandria that is at stake.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateSep 27, 2016
    ISBN9780062570123
    Unavailable
    Written in the Ashes
    Author

    K. Hollan Van Zandt

    K. Hollan Van Zandt was born and raised in Pacific Palisades, California. She has performed in a touring magic show, led yoga retreats to swim with wild dolphins, and teaches writing to students all over the world. She is a mother, a bird watcher, a pagan, and a graduate of Antioch University. Written in the Ashes is her first novel. Find out more at www.kaiavanzandt.com.

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    Reviews for Written in the Ashes

    4/5

    11 ratings6 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Review originally published at my blog: AWordsWorth.blogspot.comeBook provided by author for review.Hannah is a Jewish shepherdess, roaming the wilds of Sinai with her father, until her world is shattered by slave traders one night. Sold to a prestigious - and merciful - family in Alexandria, Hannah struggles to regain interest and enthusiasm for life, bearing scars on her body and her heart. As time begins to heal her wounds, Hannah finds her new life to be one of surprises. From private tutoring in the Library of Alexandria, to finding a strangely patched-together new 'family' in her master's house, Hannah slowly settles into her life. But these are uneasy times, and nothing is permanent. Nothing is safe - not even life. Relations between the Bishop in Alexandria, Cyril, and the "traditional" population are tense and volatile. The Library itself is threatened, and anyone deemed in cahoots with "the pagan enemy" is placed on a watch list, or "questioned" as a preemptive measure. This is Hannah's new reality, and she finds herself playing a surprising role in the bloody 'negotiations.'The story is engrossing. It's rough and brutal - very blunt, a little gory. It's not a light read, and if you're particularly sensitive some scenes could be disturbingly harsh. I loved the characters - Hannah stole my heart from the very beginning, still out on the plains of Sinai, and as I met new characters, I forged new alliances, even as she did. It's a detailed story, rich in ideas and images. The Library at Alexandria has long captured my imagination, as a librarian and as a story-loving history geek, and to read about its struggle for survival, to get a glimpse into how things could have been - it's beautiful, even as it's heart-wrenching. I feel as though I've learned much about Alexandria, the crossroads of culture and religion, the struggle to orient in a changing world. Written in the Ashes is a sweeping story to enjoy, but also one to think about. To pause and consider, to look at this particular presentation of the "ancient world" - and see how it reflects humanity.
    • 4/5
      Written in the Ashes by K. Hollan VanZandt is a historical fiction account inspired by true events. The story follows Hannah, a girl kidnapped and sold into slavery. Her journey takes her into the city of Alexandria where she meets some extraordinary people. Hannah has a beautiful voice and a thirst for knowledge. She meets Hypatia who is the keeper of the great library in Alexandria. Hypatia offers her a place at the library, but Hannah's life leads her into another direction first. This book has a mixture of history and mythology. It is set during a tumultuous period for religion. Where anything/anyone non-christian is given the death penalty. Danger lurks at every turn, and Hannah must find a way to survive.I enjoyed reading Written in the Ashes. I loved that the author used real historical events and people to build the story around. Hannah is a good, strong character. Her journey sucked me in from the beginning. Her life is not an easy one. She's the victim of violence and threatened because of her beliefs. Hannah is a survivor.The story line is intense at times and full of action at others. I liked all the characters, good and bad. The author does a fantastic job of bringing history to life. Written in the Ashes is a beautifully written story that you don't want to end.
    • 5/5
      I finished this book a few days ago and I wanted it to settle before I wrote my review. The novel, by the author's admission is part history, part imagination and part magic. Going back so far in time leaves an author with little written record to rely on for fact. The burning of the Great Library at Alexandria was a monumental loss to humanity. The facts of the matter aside, this novel was truly arresting and I had a hard time putting it down to get anything done.Ancient history fascinates me. Religion fascinates me. This book manages to tie both together in a story that resonates through time. People have been fighting over the "better god" for millenia and I fear it will never end. Written in the Ashes pits the ever strengthening Christianity against the Old Ways considered to be Pagan. Cyril, the bishop in charge of Alexandria wants to solidify his power base (uh-huh, as if it's ever REALLY about religion) and get rid of the practitioners of any other religion other than his own. He does this through fear and intimidation.Hypatia, the last recorded librarian for the Great Library is a forward thinking woman who wants all to be able to practice as they feel. She has a base of support but Cyril is calling her a witch and a whore so the people are learning to fear her. One of her main supporters Alizar has recently taken a slave into his household, Hannah. Hannah is a Jewess who was kidnapped from her father. She has a destiny of which she is completely unaware.The book was fascinating. The characters were well developed and I really didn't want to leave this world of ancient Alexandria. The imaginary, magical priests and the beautiful goddesses created by Ms. Van Zandt lent themselves to a mystical world that was quite believable within its context. As the story unfolded I was rooting for Hannah to fulfill her destiny and find peace with her past. I am looking forward to the next chapters in these characters lives.
    • 5/5
      Fans of historical fiction take note: you are going to want to head to your closest book store, amazon or wherever you get your books and pick this one up! Why, you ask? Here's why: Set in Alexandria and the story is intricately woven together with the workings of the Great Library of Alexandria. Strong, beautiful female protagonist. Quests Action Nasty bad guys Hot male protagonists. Romance, Love and Passion The little angel - who was in my heart from the very beginning.I have only one bad thing to say about K. Hollan Van Zandt's amazing novel - it is the first of a series and I now have to wait for the second instalment!! ARG!! I hope it comes out soon!
    • 5/5
      I finished this book a few days ago and I wanted it to settle before I wrote my review. The novel, by the author's admission is part history, part imagination and part magic. Going back so far in time leaves an author with little written record to rely on for fact. The burning of the Great Library at Alexandria was a monumental loss to humanity. The facts of the matter aside, this novel was truly arresting and I had a hard time putting it down to get anything done.Ancient history fascinates me. Religion fascinates me. This book manages to tie both together in a story that resonates through time. People have been fighting over the "better god" for millenia and I fear it will never end. Written in the Ashes pits the ever strengthening Christianity against the Old Ways considered to be Pagan. Cyril, the bishop in charge of Alexandria wants to solidify his power base (uh-huh, as if it's ever REALLY about religion) and get rid of the practitioners of any other religion other than his own. He does this through fear and intimidation.Hypatia, the last recorded librarian for the Great Library is a forward thinking woman who wants all to be able to practice as they feel. She has a base of support but Cyril is calling her a witch and a whore so the people are learning to fear her. One of her main supporters Alizar has recently taken a slave into his household, Hannah. Hannah is a Jewess who was kidnapped from her father. She has a destiny of which she is completely unaware.The book was fascinating. The characters were well developed and I really didn't want to leave this world of ancient Alexandria. The imaginary, magical priests and the beautiful goddesses created by Ms. Van Zandt lent themselves to a mystical world that was quite believable within its context. As the story unfolded I was rooting for Hannah to fulfill her destiny and find peace with her past. I am looking forward to the next chapters in these characters lives.
    • 4/5
      Hannah’s destiny will take her far away from the desert where she and her father tended a goat herd in the fifth century. Hannah is first stolen from her father by slave traders and taken to Alexandria where she is bought by Tarek. Luckily, Tarek’s father, Alizar is a patient man with a secret of his own. Alizar sees that there is more to Hannah than meets the eye. Even as a slave, he sends Hannah to be educated at the Great Library under Hypatia. Unfortunately, Alexandria is in the midst of religious turmoil and Hannah was raised as a Jew. As religion and power clash, Hannah is sent away again to the Temple of Isis where she is trained as a priestess and sent on a mission to gather a tablet that will help secure the pagan faith.As soon as Hannah’s story began, I was completely hooked. Fierce, brave and full of hope, Hannah’s character is instantly endearing. The journey that Hannah is sent on is full of high-stakes, adventure and cunning skill. There is a lot going on in this book and it kept me just wanting more and more. I loved being taken back to ancient Alexandria, I could picture the marketplace, the Great Library, chariot races and Alizar’s house perfectly. Then the beauty and mystery of the Temple, I could imagine the dancing priestesses in full costume. As Hannah chases the Emerald Tablet her fate becomes entwined in her mission and the excitement increases. History, magic, adventure and romance intersect in this epic tale about a young women’s journey.