Who Would Like This Book:
If you crave fantasy packed with forbidden romance, slow-burn chemistry, and a strong, stabby heroine breaking free from a world of secrets, "From Blood and Ash" is a binge-worthy pick. The world is full of twists, mysterious powers, bitey/steamy moments, and engaging fight scenes. If you enjoyed the drama and emotional rollercoaster of series like ACOTAR or enjoy a dash of paranormal spice (yes, even vampires!), you’ll likely get hooked. Readers who love high stakes, intense character banter, and plenty of romantic tension will eat this one up.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Those who are sticklers for tightly-woven worldbuilding or super polished prose may struggle here - the early chapters can be confusing with info-dumping and anachronistic dialogue. If you roll your eyes at over-the-top tropes, dislike vampire lore, or prefer romance that’s more about emotional connection than steamy encounters, you might not vibe with this series. Some found the pacing slow, characters tropey, and the romantic dynamics problematic - especially if you’re sensitive to issues around consent and rushed forgiveness in relationships.
About:
'From Blood and Ash' by Jennifer L. Armentrout is a fantasy novel following the story of Poppy, the Maiden, who is chosen at birth for a mysterious role. The plot revolves around court politics, Poppy's day-to-day life, and the world of the Kingdom, filled with strife and dangerous creatures. As Poppy navigates her isolation and duties, she uncovers secrets about her heritage, the Ascension, and the ongoing conflict between different factions within the Kingdom. The writing style is described as engaging, with a focus on character development, world-building, and a slow-burn romance between Poppy and Hawke, the Royal Guard.
The book delves into themes of power, strength, and identity, as Poppy struggles with her restricted life as the Maiden while yearning for freedom and self-discovery. With a mix of fantasy politics, intriguing plot twists, and a strong female protagonist, 'From Blood and Ash' sets the stage for a complex and captivating series that explores the dynamics of love, power, and destiny in a high fantasy setting.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains themes of violence, sexual content, and betrayal that may be triggering for some readers.
Has Romance?
The book contains a significant amount of romance and romantic tension.
From The Publisher:
Captivating and action-packed, From Blood and Ash is a sexy, addictive, and unexpected fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa.
A Maiden...
Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy's life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.
A Duty...
The entire kingdom's future rests on Poppy's shoulders, something she's not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.
A Kingdom...
Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel.
Ratings (802)
Incredible (160) | |
Loved It (304) | |
Liked It (153) | |
It Was OK (95) | |
Did Not Like (62) | |
Hated It (28) |
Reader Stats (1673):
Read It (830) | |
Currently Reading (13) | |
Want To Read (612) | |
Did Not Finish (33) | |
Not Interested (185) |
19 comment(s)
It was just too slow of a story for me. With reviews saying the future books dont get any better added to the repetitive nature I decided not to finish the book.
fun but bad
forbidden romance fantasy
maidan and her hot new guard
vampirey
badass good girl
The world in which Poppy grows up is dark, intriguing, and mysterious. A good start to the series.
I liked the dynamic between the two main characters—at least for most of the book. For my taste, all the twists were too obvious. Still, I found the book entertaining.
However, the last few chapters of the book stand out – but not in a positive way. Theo felt rushed. The plot and character dynamics develop in a strange direction. If the last few chapters had been a little more thought out and polished, I would have given the book a higher rating. As it is, I'm not sure I'm going to read the second part.
6⭐️
I should’ve read this straight out of the womb
I am currently on book 3 of this series and if you are a fan of Quicksilver and ACOTAR then this book does not disappoint. It’s incredibly fun with a badass female character and of course the delicious male opposite with dark secrets. Showed her a world beyond the veil. Love the sex scenes. Nice and spicy. The Graphic Audio hits just right.
This book was enjoyable and disappointing.
The story was good but the writing could really benefit from a continuity editor. Between small discrepancies and the inconsistent use of modern language it was easy to get pulled out of the story while reading. Additionally the foreshadowing was a little too obvious.
All that said I'll keep reading the series because it was fun. Just a little bummed because it could have been great.
Worldbuilding:
Amazing worldbuilding! As this is the first of the series, quite a bit of information is coming our way. But it felt smooth and unhurried (well, it has 622 pages, so yeah). The scenes and environments were superbly written. Dive into the story and enjoy :D
Character development:
Poppy was marked as a Maiden by the Gods when she was born. On her 19th birthday, she will be given to them for the betterment of the kingdom. Or, well, so they say... But Poppy wants different things. She wants to live, be free and do whatever she wants. But, alas, even the smallest things are forbidden to her, giving her a very lonely life indeed.
That all changes when horrible circumstances lead to her meeting Hawke, her new guard. He has a way of getting under her skin in the most infuriating ways (or so she tells herself). But, of course, she is rather good at bending (or rather, breaking) some of the rules imposed. Be aware she is not a damsel in distress!
The characters in this book feel so alive. I love it! We get insights into even the smallest side character's hopes and dreams and why they do what they do.
Pacing and flow:
Be prepared to lose a lot of hours reading this book! :D I Love how the story doesn't let you go and keeps giving you little tidbits of info to keep you going. Great balance between all the conversations and the action.
I really felt the author wasn't in a rush but just let the story unfold in its own time.
The book:
The book was well written with no (noticeable) errors. There was some sexual content (if that is important to you).
It has 622 pages, spread over 41 chapters and is told from Poppy's point of view.
Final thoughts:
I loved the book! It has such a rich world, the characters are really well written, and those unexpected twists and turns... who needs sleep? Another series to be marked as a favourite. I can't wait to grab the next book!
Note for those who want to read the series: there is a companion series (Flesh and Fire) that should be read alongside this one. Needless to say, I'm hooked! :D
Its been a long time since I have found a book that made me fall in love with a character. This book is beyond amazing and is now easily one of my favorites!
Poppy's power is overwhelming sometimes and She's the chosen one that has to hide behind a veil and stay "pure" and timid. Enter a dashing bodyguard, snarky remarks, enemies to lovers and this is it.
I think she might be the Maiden, the Chosen, but I'm not all that sure tbh
What can you read after
From Blood and Ash?
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