I just read this really cool book called Ashes, by Laurie Halse Andersen.  This book is fiction and is the third book in the series.

I knew that the other books were about the lives of certain slaves during Revolutionary War time.  I figured that this book was going to be about the conclusion of their quest for the main character's sister.  Usually, this author's book titles have a double meaning taken from a couple of aspects within the book.  I think Ashes is going to be about finding the main character's sister is dead.

The setting influences the characters throughout this book because during Revolutionary War times, most black people were not allowed to be free.  Traveling on their own causes a huge problem for this group of characters (who are all black).  They are sneaking around the less traveled roads and traveling during the night to avoid recapture.

The theme of this book is to work toward what you believe in.  The cost may be high, but it will always be worth it.

The main character is Isabel.  She is an escaped slave.  She is passionate, determined, and devoted to her family.  She has a pretty sharp tongue when it comes to the other characters in this book.

The connections that I made with this book are that Isabel is a pretty good seamstress.  I enjoy sewing and needlework, too.  I don't think that she did it because she enjoyed it though.  She is also very determined to find her sister.  I can be quite determined to accomplish what I want, as well.

An inference that the author makes in this book is that Ruth is more capable than Isabel thinks she is.  She makes more connections to her circumstances than Isabel expects.

In evaluation of this book, I liked how it was told from Isabel's point of view.  That way, the author could put her thoughts in the words.  That was useful to me to see the story from a central point.  I didn't like how it ended, though.  In the end, Curzon and Isabel get married and the book indicates that there's a happily ever after ending.  Under the circumstances, I'm not so sure that would be the case.  Also, there were several loose ends that were not tied up in the final chapters.  That's aggravating!  I enjoyed the book, though.

I would really recommend this book to others so that you can find out how this series ends.  We find out how Isabel finds her family and what she and the others have to go through to accomplish that.  It also paints a picture of what it might have been like to be part of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War....the hardships that all the soldiers were subjected to.  It's an interesting story!