King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
A Five-Star Book

King of Ashes is a brutal story of a man’s descent into criminality in an attempt to save his family. This viscerally beautiful novel is not one to miss!

About King of Ashes (No Spoilers)

King of Ashes dropped in June 2025, and I’m still thinking about it weeks later. S.A. Cosby’s newest crime noir thriller examines how far protagonist Roman Carruthers will go to rescue his brother (Dante) and sister (Neveah) from the criminal underbelly of their hometown.

Still haunted by their mother’s disappearance when they were young, the siblings have chosen very different paths. Roman escaped Jefferson Run, Virginia for college and is now a high-powered money manager in Atlanta while Neveah runs the Carruthers Crematorium alongside their father. Dante, the perpetual teenager, turns to drugs, alcohol, and crime. When their father Neveah is nearly killed in a mysterious accident, Roman returns to Jefferson Run where he must reckon with Neveah’s bitterness and Dante’s new ties to the Black Baron Boys, the most lethal gang in area.

King of Ashes races onward with Roman’s attempts to save his brother and sister. His journey is full of the cruelest violence I’ve read about to-date, but it’s also beautifully written in Cosby’s trademark voice.

“I used to be afraid the universe was evil. Now I almost wish it was. Because evil can be bargained with, evil has a purpose, no matter how horrible it may be. But what I’ve come to realize is the universe is indifferent, and that is so much more terrifying.”

S.A. Cosby, King of Ashes (pg. 7)

What I Loved about King of Ashes

King of Ashes was one of my most-anticipated 2025 books. That’s always a double-edge sword for me. A book will either exceed my expectations, or it will be a complete miss. Luckily, King of Ashe is in the former category. Here are a few reasons why.

Roman

The eldest Carruthers has cultivated his wealth and lifestyle that is far beyond Jefferson Run. By returning home to help his family, he shows the pull of siblings and how quickly things can go wrong. Roman has as many secrets as he has vices, and his attempts to save Dante from the Back Baron Brothers leads to more. He is the conflicted prince of Shakespearean tragedy: desperate to do better but in too deep to avoid his own proclivities. I felt empathy for Roman as I read, wishing that this protagonist would wake up and choose a different path.

Neveah and Dante

Roman’s siblings are bitter and stunted as they continue to live in Jefferson Run in their father’s home. When she’s not working long hours in the heat of Carruthers Crematorium, Neveah feels dulls to the world. She’s cared for her father since her mother disappeared, the still-unsolved case that holds Neveah’s obsession. In contrast to Neveah’s bitterness, Dante maintains his ‘baby brother’ spot in the family with little responsibility and lots of guilt. His addictions fuel his actions with an underlying pool of grief and frustration. Neither sibling understands Roman’s extended absence, and they clearly needed his guidance long ago.

The Plot

This is a book that keeps burning. I regularly asked myself: what can possibly happen next? The plot is like a woven masterpiece with multiple storylines and told in multiple points of view. It’s a violent thriller, but King of Ashes thrives in the terror. Nothing is happenstance; every move is deliberate and tied to the plot. I particularly loved the side story of the siblings’ long-standing grief about their mother’s disappearance. It wasn’t just a mystery: it was the fuel igniting their actions and relationships.

The Side Characters

As rulers of the Black Baron Boys, Torrent and Tranquil Gilchrist are the newest villains who live rent-free in my brain. Their ease of brutality and small glimpses of humanity make them jump off the pages. Then there’s Khalil, Roman’s first call for help. He is the muscle you don’t dare cross, but he’s endearing because of his lackadaisical relationship with violence. He speaks Latin and reads the classics, but has no qualms about grenades or knives.

The Writing

I highlighted 48 quotes while reading King of Ashes, and I probably have chosen more. As I’ve shared before, I love Cosby’s writing style because of the vibrant imagery and language that shows the author’s brilliance and precision. With this book, Cosby carries the metaphor of fire and ash thoroughly this book, but it never feels like heavy-handed or forced. That’s an example of Cosby’s prowess and his dedication to the reader.

Read This If You Like…

• Antiheroes
• Doomed families
• Southern noir fueled by poverty, addiction, and violence
• Exceptional writing that lures you in

Final Thoughts about King of Ashes

It is clear why King of Ashes is hailed as a top book for 2025. This is classic Cosby with an extraordinary story led by empathetic character, a fast-paced plot, and enviable writing. Don’t miss out of this!

What book did you love this month?