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From Blood and Ash

Book 1 in the series:Blood And Ash

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'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.

Characters:

The characters are diverse and complex, with Poppy serving as a strong lead despite her naïveté and Hawke presenting a charming yet controversial figure.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and easy to follow but often lacks depth and suffers from repetition and simplistic dialogue, hindering the overall reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a mix of vampire lore and fantasy elements, focusing on the dynamics between Poppy, the Maiden, and her guard, Hawke, amid rising tensions in a world filled with supernatural threats.

Setting:

The setting is a complex and somewhat confusing fantasy world with a blend of ancient and modern elements that shapes the narrative.

Pacing:

The pacing is inconsistent, starting slow due to world-building but gaining momentum later, although some sections still feel overly drawn out.
I looked up from my cards and across the crimson-painted surface to the three men sitting at the table. I’d chosen this spot for a reason. I’d…felt nothing from them as I drifted between the crowded t...

Notes:

The book 'From Blood and Ash' features a strong female protagonist, Penellaphe 'Poppy' Balfour, who is destined to become the Maiden.
Poppy has special abilities that allow her to sense and alleviate physical and mental pain.
The story includes themes of forbidden love and societal restrictions, as Poppy is meant to lead a sheltered life until her Ascension.
Hawke, Poppy's love interest, is a royal guard with a mysterious background, creating tension and attraction between the two characters.
The book incorporates elements of vampire lore, which some readers found unexpected and disappointing.
Readers praised the action scenes and the author's skill in writing fight sequences.
'From Blood and Ash' features explicit romantic scenes that have garnered both praise and criticism for their content.
The series has a significant following on social media platforms like TikTok, contributing to its popularity.
Critics noted issues with world-building and pacing, particularly in the early chapters of the book, which some readers found slow.
The series is compared to other popular fantasy romance series, such as Sarah J. Maas's 'A Court of Thorns and Roses', suggesting a similar appeal to fans.

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 (444)

Incredible (89)
Loved It (174)
Liked It (84)
It Was OK (44)
Did Not Like (37)
Hated It (16)

Reader Stats (932):

Read It (448)
Currently Reading (7)
Want To Read (383)
Did Not Finish (17)
Not Interested (77)

7 comment(s)

It Was OK
1 month

I read shit like this and I’m like, “ladies do we all need therapy? Are we okay?”

 
Did Not Like
1 month

The writing is subpar

 
Loved It
1 month

a lot of world-building in the first half of the book, it took me a long time to finish but once you get into the back half it starts to get very good, also some soft smut which is always appriciated. overal 8.5/10 excited to read the second book.

 
Liked It
6 months

The chemistry

 
It Was OK
8 months

Slow start

 
It Was OK
9 months

not great writing. It was lacking continuity and introduction/background for a lot of the people, places, etc. on page 70 and still have no clue what is happening

 
Incredible
1 year

I recently read a fantastic book that completely captivated me. The characters were so well-developed and the plot had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.

 
 
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