Product guide

Ashes of Candesce: Book Five of Virga

Book Five: Ashes of Candesce is the fifth Virga science fiction novel, following Leal as she tries to unite the world's clans against the threat of Artificial Nature. The listing describes a series climax that brings together earlier storylines, with steampunk elements and far-future themes.

At a glance

The story follows Leal as Artificial Nature threatens Virga and she works to unite its divided clans.
The listing presents the novel as a culmination of the Virga series, bringing together its previous storylines.
The described blend combines steampunk styling, far-future science fiction and themes about the posthuman condition.

Price

$3.99Save 73%

Reference price: ~~$14.99~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

A series-finale storyline links Leal's conflict with characters and threads introduced in earlier Virga books.
Kindle accessibility and reading options listed include screen reader support, enhanced typesetting, Word Wise and Page Flip.

Technical specifications

12 specifications

Book details
Publisher	Tor Books
Publication date	February 14, 2012
Edition	First
Language	English
Print length	386 pages
ISBN-13	978-1429987509

Digital edition
File size	3.4 MB
Screen reader	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	Enabled
X-Ray	Not Enabled
Word Wise	Enabled
Page Flip	Enabled

What to know before buying

This is Book Five and is described as drawing together earlier plotlines, so readers unfamiliar with the Virga series may benefit from starting with earlier installments.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers following the Virga series who want its described climactic conclusion.
Science-fiction readers interested in a far-future setting with steampunk styling and posthuman themes.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.4 / 5 · 101 ratings

5 stars64%64%
4 stars23%23%
3 stars9%9%
2 stars4%4%
1 star0%0%

The listing provides aggregate ratings that lean positive, with most ratings in the four- and five-star categories and some three- and two-star ratings. Without written review feedback, those figures cannot show what readers liked or disliked. They offer only a broad signal about reception, not a reason to expect a particular response to this fifth-book series conclusion.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ashes of Candesce a standalone novel?

It is identified as Book Five of Virga and described as bringing together storylines from earlier books. The listing does not establish that it works independently.

What is the story about?

Leal attempts to unite Virga's quarrelling clans as Artificial Nature makes a final bid to destroy their world.

What reading features does the ebook listing specify?

It lists screen reader support, enhanced typesetting, Word Wise and Page Flip as enabled. X-Ray is listed as not enabled.