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.
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Oh my heart hurts and my brain….it hurts too! From Blood and Ash is the first book in a new series from Jennifer L. Armentrout, and she surprised us all with this release. I don’t know how she kept it a secret y’all, but she did, and it was the best surprise ever! From Blood and Ash is a captivating story about one girl and her duty to the kingdom.
Poppy is the maiden, chosen by the gods, but no one really knows what that means for her. Veiled at all times, no one except her guardians and personal guard has seen Poppy’s face. She’s held as a symbol of hope by the Ascended (more on them in a minute). Yet Poppy feels smothered. Regular, everyday routines are given to her as a privilege. It’s her “sacrifice.” As the day of her own Ascension draws near, Poppy becomes restless. She doesn’t fit this maiden role. She rebels in the only way she knows how. She learns to fight from her guard Vikter who is like a father to her, she sneaks books from the library that she isn’t supposed to read, she befriends her maid, and she sneaks off to the Red Pearl, a place of ill-repute. It’s here where the story begins and I found myself completely engrossed in Poppy’s plight.
And then enters Hawke. Hawke is a soldier in the Royal army, a new transfer from the capital. After a chance encounter with Poppy at the Red Pearl, tragedy strikes and Hawke finds himself as Poppy’s new guard. He is highly trained, and he sees through Poppy’s defenses better than her closest friends. He is an enigma, one she wants to figure out (and that of course endears him to me). Chaos seems to follow in his wake, or maybe it’s following Poppy. Regardless, Hawke brings levity to a dark tale.
Unlike Armentrout‘s other books, this is a fantasy and a little bit of a slower read than you might be used to from her. There is a lot of world-building to do, and I love how she interweaves it into the main plot without just info-dumping on us. By a quarter of the way into the book, you know everything you need to know. Anything else that may come up as the story progresses is explained then and in greater detail.
Perhaps my favorite part of this story is the world-building. The Ascended are intriguing. They only come out at night, their eyes are solid black, they’re fast and inexplicably strong. They are also worshipped by their people. Everything in this society revolves around them and the Ascension which takes place once a year for the nobility as they reach a certain age. No one really knows what happens during the ceremony, only that if they are found worthy, the gods will bless them as Ascended. What happens to the unworthy?
Overall From Blood and Ash is taking the spot as my favorite read this year (so far). I love Poppy and Hawke, I love the world-building, I even love the plot twists that break me. Y’all this book is everything I could ask for in an epic fantasy. Armentrout delivers a steamy romance with a plot full of deception and mystery. If you enjoy fantasy, I highly recommend you grab a copy and start ASAP!
I need to give this book more than five stars, JLA has done it again, I love her books but this one is on its own league, Poppy and Hawke story starts in the best way possible, I love all the characters in their own way, the world-building is fantastic, the storyline is phenomenal, this book is simply an amazing new masterpiece. I need more and I can’t wait for it. Epic reading, a top must-read of course.
After finishing From Blood and Ash, all I want is to build a shrine for Jennifer L. Armentrout and worship her for writing this epic masterpiece! She’s not without a reason one of my most favorite authors ever. Her talent is seriously out of this world! I thought that she couldn’t surprise and impress me more than she’s done already, but I was utterly wrong. Because From Blood and Ash was more than I could have ever dreamed for! It was highly addictive, action packed, sexy and absolutely unputdownable. I would even go that far and say that it’s the best book JLA has ever written. The world building was masterfully created as much as the intriguing and multi layered characters. The narrative was beautiful and detailed, allowing me to see all the places, creatures and people clearly in front of my eyes. She definitely needs to write more of these high adult fantasy novels in the future!
Penellaphe’s life has never been her own. As the Maiden, she’s been choosen from birth to carry the whole future of the Kingdom of Solis on her shoulders. This is why her life is one of solitary, never to be touched, looked upon or spoken to. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, Poppy would rather use her skills in order to fight the evil that brutally took her family away from her, than preparing to be found worthy by the Gods. When Hawke, a young and handsome guard is assigned to protect her, duty becomes tangled with desire and need, too deep and intense to be denied. As the shadow of the cursed and forsaken by the Gods draws closer, a fallen kingdom is trying to rise once more determined to take back what they consider rightfully theirs. As the line between right and wrong gets blurred, Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart but also her life…
There are not enough words to describe how much I adored Poppy! She was such a compassionate, smart, independent and brave heroine. I loved that despite being the Maiden and sheltered for most of her life, she was not a demsel in distress. On the contrary! Poppy was very skilled at fighting and knew how to protect herself. She’s been given a very special dagger on her sixteenth birthday and wasn’t afraid to use it in order to fight the bad guys. Penellaphe also posses a very rare gift that only a few people know about.
Hawke was the perfect hero and made me swoon hard. He was cocky, protective and very observant. I loved how he challenged Poppy and encouraged her to question things and listen to her own needs and wants! And let’s not forget to mention how he teached her some very useful skills that had nothing to do with fighting. Their chemistry was scorching and palpable on every page. I was holding my breath every time they spent together, waiting for the moment their composure would snap and lust would take over! Gah, I seriously needed to fan myself at some scenes, they were super hot!
If you think that you already know where this story will take you, then please let me laugh at you for a second! Because I guarantee you that you have no idea. I’m the first to admit, that I was utterly shocked by many outcomes. Jennifer had several cards up her sleeve, keeping the surprises coming one after the other. At some point I was so conflicted, I started to question everything I knew, just as Poppy was. There are still many unanswered questions left and things to be resolved and I seriously can’t wait to see how the story continues!
If you’re looking for the perfect escape with amazing characters and unexpected twists and turns that will leave you with your jaw on the floor, then this book is for you! Do yourself a favor and one-click it now! I’m giving From Blood and Ash 6 well deserved stars and putting this gem straight on my most favorite reads shelf of 2020.
This is Jennifer L. Armentrout’s first venture into adult high fantasy, and she did a damn good job, not that I expected any less.
“Death is like an old friend who pays a visit, sometimes when it’s least expected and other times when you’re waiting for her.”
As always with JLA’s books the plot and the characters were amazing. From Blood to Ash did give me a little bit of a different vibe in writing than her other books, which is to be expected since this is the first high fantasy that she has released, but it’s no less enjoyable than her other books. Like any of her other books the humor and banter in From Blood and Ash is A+.
Especially between Hawke and Poppy.
“Fear and bravery are often one and the same. It either makes you a warrior or a coward. The only difference is the person it resides inside.”
I loved the two main characters. I loved Poppy from the beginning, but my love for her grew even more as she developed through the book. She is a very strong minded character, in the best of ways. I love the stubborn ones. And Hawke is just everything you want in a leading man. He’s not your typical brooding male. I really loved how no matter what, he always had a joke or a smile, even when thing’s got serious. His humor is one of my favorite things about his character. I’m a sucker for a sarcastic hero with a sense of humor, and Hawke definitely has that going for him.
Like I said this book is adult and when it gets to that point the sexy parts between Hawke and Poppy were damn hot. And their relationship in general, the sexual tension, the bickering, all of it was fantastic, and very well written. You can practically feel the tension coming off of the pages.
“Some things, once spoken, were given a life of their own.”
But this story isn’t just about these two and their relationship, the plot and storyline hooked me from the beginning and I loved how it unfolded throughout the book.I definitely did guess at what was going on, but I loved it because it made me even more excited to keep reading to find out if I was right.
“Some truths do nothing but destroy and decay what they do not obliterate. Truths do not always set one free.”
From Blood and Ash was a fantastic, action packed, high fantasy. It has everything you could want, forbidden romance, great characters, fantastic humor, and a great plot and storyline to keep you hooked to the pages. It was a five star read for me and I one hundred percent recommend this book if you love fantasy reads. Jennifer L. Armentrout does not disappoint with her first high fantasy release. She blew it out of the water with this one.
JLA has done it yet again. She has created a masterpiece with this story. I have no idea why she ever hesitated to write this story. It’s written in a way that draws you into the story and doesn’t let you go until you reach the end. And boy, what an ending that was. It sets the stage for the second book and I cannot wait for it. The world JLA has created in FB&A is fascinating, riveting, suspenseful, and so full of angst and heartache that I almost couldn’t handle it. I devoured this story and completely fell in love with Poppy and Hawke. I need more of these two and their world.
Poppy is an epically awesome character. I loved every second of getting to know her. She’s naive and sweet, but at the same time strong and hardcore. She is not at all what I expected and I loved every second. Poppy is the Maiden, which basically means she is not in control of her own life. The Gods and the Ascended (those in charge of her world) are in control of her. She has to be as perfect and pure as possible. She can’t do anything she wants. She’s not allowed to interact with most people, she’s not supposed to learn how to defend herself, she’s not supposed to express her own opinions, she’s not supposed to talk unless spoken to, and she’s not supposed to be her own person. Basically, she’s supposed to be whatever those in charge tell her she can be, which isn’t much. Her choices have been taken from her. Her free will has been taken from her and she finally makes the choice to begin taking back control over her own life little by little in unexpected ways. She learns self-defense (that girl is amazing with a dagger and sword), she sneaks out to go on adventures and to experience life, and she starts expressing her thoughts and feelings, consequences be damned. Poppy’s character development was wonderful to read and I cannot wait to see where the second book takes her. She is pretty darn awesome and a perfect match for Hawke.
Oh, Hawke. I loved everything about his character, even though I thought he had ulterior motives the entire story. It was just too convenient how quickly he moved up in the ranks of the Royal Guard. But, alas, I won’t go into to much detail there. Hawke is just so full of surprises. He’s charming, funny, witty, and so dangerously sexy. Gods, his character fascinated me. He did what he thought was the right thing, consequences be damned. And that was so wickedly hot. He stood up for Poppy when no one else could or would. That right there made me fall in love with his character. I enjoyed every scene with Hawke. He was just so deliciously wicked and sinful and he made me wish that he was more than a fictional character. Goodness gracious. The things he said made me fan myself silly. He is definitely a dangerous one for the health of all females. I need more of Hawke!
Poppy and Hawke together is everything. I simply adore them. These two are fire together. The chemistry between them is absolutely perfect. Hawke made Poppy feel alive in a way no one else did and she actually allowed herself to feel alive in those stolen moments with him. These two were never meant to be together, but they couldn’t fight the attraction and the feeling that they knew one another. Hawke is one of the only people who fought for Poppy. He told her she is worthy of having free will, she is allowed to control her own life, and she is allowed to feel things. And that it’s okay to be scared. She’s allowed to simply feel. Gods, these two made my heart dance with joy whenever they were together. I couldn’t get enough of their banter and sarcastic remarks with one another. Hawke is one of the first people to treat her like an actual human being with her own thoughts and feelings. Poppy is so much more than just the Maiden. Who Poppy is as a person is important, more important than what she is. I swear the second book better answer all my questions about these two or I’m gonna combust! I can’t wait for more!
Overall, if I could give this story more than 5 stars, I would. It’s an amazing story that takes you into a world of mystery, intrigue, suspense, and heartache. JLA truly has outdone herself with this story. I was totally captivated by the world she created and I can’t wait to see where she takes us next. I need to know absolutely everything about Poppy and Hawke and I cannot wait to see where their journey takes them. The next book in this series cannot be released soon enough.
First off, I knew about this surprise book for almost a month and wasn’t allowed to say anything… So here’s a big ol’ freaking pat on my back for keeping the secret. It was supposed to debut at Appolycon, but Rona said “nah,” cuz she a hoe.
A lot of people are comparing From Blood & Ash to A Court of Thorns and Roses, I didn’t feel that way. The biggest similarities were the 600+ page freaking length, and similar titles (but lets be real, that’s the publishers doing). Ever since George R.R. Martin came out with titles like “Song of Fire and Ice,” there’s been a push for these types of titles. Anyways… on to the real review.
Everything you’ve come to expect from Armentrout is there: humor, bad ass heroine, romance, and a bit of action. And I’m super excited that vampires are making a come back! It was good. It was. A bit “been there done that,” but I think there’s room to grow with this new world.
I do think it could’ve been MUCH shorter, lots of filler that could’ve been done away with. The ride felt slow until the end, which is even more of a reason I felt much of it could’ve been cut.
There’s twists and turns, “seasoned” Jlander readers will probably guess early on, but newbies will be suprised AF.
Overall it was good. I want to see where this goes, so I’ll def be reading the next!
This book was just WOW! Has to be my favorite of the year so far. The story grabs you from being to end, what you think you know , you really don’t. The ending clears up a lot of the mystery, but there is so much for to be known. Hawke and poppy are so comical that this book had me laughing out loud. (A lot) Fingers crossed there is another book in the making, because I’m ready for more. Amazing, and the ending What!!!!
This was an exciting original epic tale and I can’t wait to read what happens next.
Favorite Fantasy so Far!!!
From Blood and Ash by JLA is unlike any of her books so far. It was a step outside of her normal realm, and I for one hope there is more to come.
Fans of Sarah J Maas will devour this story. I have to be honest, it started out kinda slow for me. The story has a sort of historical atmosphere at first and the few chapters are the hard for me to get in to in any new storyline. I’m not a fan of historical romances, so I had to talk myself into sticking with the story and continuing on. It wasn’t a huge struggle because I knew that the story would pick up and I would love it like I do all of Jen’s books. Boy oh boy it did not take long to grab my attention. Any hesitation was wiped away once Hawke was introduced. He’s captivating from the very beginning. Nothing better than a hot, knowledgeable, warrior with a good head on his shoulders.
Of course, this story is really all about the Maiden. No one does a female lead quite like JLA. She has introduced some of my all-time favorite bada$$, fierce heroines. I like a female lead that can stand on her own, and doesn’t need a hero to save her. That’s definitely what she gave us with the newest edition, Poppy. She’s the public symbol of this helpless creature that follows orders and depends on others to provide for her, but in truth she’s a strong and capable female who wants to experience life and do better for her people. She’s also very relatable which I wasn’t expecting based on her position. She has qualities and desires that I think everyone can find something in common with her.
If the two separate leads weren’t awesome enough on their own, they are lightening together. The chemistry is off the charts with these two. From the first meet to the last chapter, you are kept on your toes. Hawke is very alluring, but you can never quite figure him out. He is also fiercely protective of Poppy, well beyond the duties of a guard. He encourages her curiosity and helps her grown as a person. He undoes some of the damage she has endured in the past. I think Poppy continuously surprised Hawke. He had an idea of what her character was, but was pleasantly surprised to find there was so much more to her. I really loved these two together. I don’t think it’s possible for JLA to create a leading couple that I don’t fall for.
There’s also plenty happening outside of the romance. There are some fierce battle scenes that were so well done I could envision them playing out in my head. There are twists and turns you don’t see coming. JLA will keep you guessing until the last second. I had a feeling of what was coming by the way the story was progressing, but I definitely didn’t think the twist would be that big. And it’s more of a two-part twist that’ll keep you wanting more. I really enjoyed the mythology that was tied into the story as well. The background about the gods and how their world works and was developed was very interesting. I enjoyed learning new pieces as the story progressed.
This book was unlike any stories I have read so far, and I loved it. I highly recommend everyone tries it out. I don’t know how I’ll tide myself over until the next installment releases. Fingers crossed we get it early and there are lots of teasers!!!
From Blood and Ash is such an amazing book! It starts off slow to introduce you to the characters and to get you started into this wonderful new world that Jen has created for us, but it picks up fast. There are so many action-packed moments that are going to have you not wanting to turn the page because you’re scared for the outcome, but you do because the book draws you in and you need to know what happens. There are going to be moments when you’re on the edge of your seat and when you’re on the verge of tears. I know I may have dropped a tear or two while reading. All of those moments are made up though because the book has tons of funny and romantic parts. The romantic parts are going to have you blushing and smiling like no other! When you read the book you’re going to be able to dive in and picture everything you’re reading. How Jen describes everything paints the perfect picture for you. Once you start it’s going to be hard to stop. This book is a complete page-turner and you’re not going to want to put it down.
FB&A is a mindblowing high fantasy that will take you on an epic journey you wouldn’t want to ever end. Set in an intriguing world, with complex characters you’ll instantly fall in love with, this captivating story will lead you to mysterious lands, make you fight new, terrifying enemies and surprise you with its original setting, passionate romance, and unexpected twists and turns. Buckle up, charge your kindles and stock on food and drinks, because once you start this, there would be no stopping. You’ll be sucked in this whirlwind of a story and would want to just crawl inside the pages and stay there forever.
I fell in love with Poppy from page one. She was for sure one of the bravest and toughest heroines Jen has ever written. She was a victim of unusual circumstances but she didn’t let herself remain the victim. She fought for her independence fiercely and I admired her for the strength she showed in everything.
As for Hawke – well, sigh… he was one of Jen’s infamous bad boys that you love to hate and hate to love. Cocky, a bit arrogant, a lot self-assured and another great fighter. But he was so much more than that and he definitely managed to charm me quickly with his easygoing personality and witty comebacks.
Hawke and Poppy’s relationship gradually built and changed throughout the book. Their banter and provocative, verbal sparring made me grin stupidly the whole time. Both were trying to come out on top, both trying to resist their undisputable attraction, both denying themselves what they wanted. But once they unleashed all those hidden feelings inside, everything turned a bit explosive and a lot steamy. The passion, the tension, the insecurity, the secret longing for each other – it was like a tidal wave of emotions flowing from the pages.
And then on top of this passionate romance, the twist and turns kept coming, the plot got all tangled up and intriguing, the action-packed scenes swallowed me whole and I was hooked to the pages, with no desire to leave this unique world. It fascinated me with its complexity, with the detailed description of certain creatures, sceneries, and events, with the depth of the emotions. It was a creative masterpiece in terms of feelings, action, and romance, and I’m simply at awe with the imagination that came up with this beautiful high fantasy story. It quickly became my new favorite from her, in the genre and a definite #1 for 2020.
Title: From Blood and Ash
Series:
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Blue Box Press
Edition: Kindle
Amount of Pages: 622
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Cliffhanger: Yesish
HEA/HFN: Hard to say
Cheating: No
Triggerwarnings: No
Insta love/Insta hate: No
Single Parent/Kids/Pregnancy: No
Date Read: 08-03-2020 – 09-03-2020
Favorite Quote: “Both halves are as beautiful as the whole”
“With my sword and with my life, I vow to keep you safe Penellaphe. From this moment until the last moment, I am yours”
“You’re an absolutely stunning, murderous little creature”
“I came back for you that night. Just like I told you I would. I came back for you, and you weren’t there. You promised me, princess.”
“I have a feeling that if you don’t leave, he’s just going to stand there and drain precious air from my room.” “While looking exceptionally handsome. You forgot tot add that.”
“The next time you go out, wear better shoes and thicker clothing. Those slippers are likely to be the death of you, and that dress… the death of me”
“I’ll say it again. I don’t care what you are. I care about who you are”
“What you want is me” My breath caught.”That doesn’t matter””What you want should always matter”
“His words had touched the deepest part of me, and it was thrilling. I felt alive, like i was finally waking up”
“I am a bad maiden.” “No” He kissed my other temple. “You’re a perfectly normal girl. What is expected of you is what’s bad” He paused. “And yes, you’re also a very bad Maiden”/
“Promise me you won’t forget this, Poppy. That no matter what happens tomorrow, the next day, next week, you won’t forget this, forget that this was real”
Review:
I want to start my review by saying that not being able to talk about this release was so hard. It was killing me not to be able to gush about it to anyone that would listen.
This is the first high fantasy book by Jennifer, and I really hope that it isn’t the last. Just like with her other works, her ability to create worlds, create hot swoony men and strong feisty female characters is simply amazing. This book has everything we could ever want and more, mystery, humor, steamy scenes, betrayal, mystery and suspense.
This book pulls you in right from the starts and doesn’t let you go, not at all.
Hawke could potentially kick all of Jennifers other book boyfriends right from the top and run away with the nr 1 medal.
What is this book about:
Poppy is the Maiden, meaning she has to remain “pure” until the gods find her worthy of Ascending into immortality. It’s suppose to be a honor, and it means that when Poppy ascends, so do all the other Lords and Lady’s in waiting. It’s suppose to be the biggest ascension since the gods blessed them with it. However it’s not something Poppy want’s. And she’s not sure when this life is suppose to become a honor. Since arriving in the city a long time ago, she has been, uhm lenient when it comes to following the rules that constrict her live every day. She didn’t expect to want to break so many more rules the second she meets Hawke.
Things aren’t always what they seem. The truth can either set you free or destroy every thing you know. The Dark One is done waiting and he is coming to get what he wants. And what he want’s is Poppy…
What did I like/love about this book:
Why ofcourse I loved it! It’s a Jennifer L. Armentrout book after all! I didn’t expect to love it this much though. I should have known that when I started this book at 8pm that I wouldn’t stop when I was done. Silly me.
I loved the interactions between Poppy and Hawke. It’s was hilarious and just the best. I loved that Poppy was a take charge kind of girl. The hand she has been dealt isn’t a fair one. The rules that where imposed on her would drive anyone insane but she managed to get through it with strength and dignity.
And Hawke, he was funny, charming, protective and just fun. I just love him so much! But at the same time he broke my damn heart and pissed me off. I honestly need the next book now! Like right now!
What did I dislike/hate about this book:
Nothing, absolutely nothing.
Rating:
5 mindblowing, amazing stars
I have been DYING to tell you guys about this book!! I was super lucky to be on the ARC team for this book and let me tell you…IT IS EPIC!!! Firstly, that cover is GORGEOUS!! Secondly, this story is everything you didn’t know you needed. Everything seems so simple, so straight-forward, so incredibly black and white for the life of The Maiden. But it is anything but. The rules, the lifestyle, she wants nothing more than to just experience life, but Poppy isn’t afforded that luxury. She has to live a life of loneliness and seclusion. She keeps her face covered, not allowed to talk to anyone, and has to maintain her purity in every way. If she so much as THINKS about stepping out of line, she is brought in front of the Duke for her “lesson”. But Poppy has a rebellious streak and she is really good at sneaking out and really bad at following the rules, no matter the cost. She soon finds out that nothing is what it seems. She couldn’t trust anyone before, but now she really can’t trust anyone. I absolutely LOVED this book. You will too. 5 stars and 2 thumbs way way up!!
A high fantasy that is captivating from the very first sentence. There are secrets, sword fights, romance, and vampires. The witty banter between characters is spot on. Poppy, “The Maiden,” is not some shy, demure, little girl waiting for a prince to rescue her. As the Maiden, Poppy is forced to wear a veil to cover her entire face with only her mouth and chin left exposed. She’s not allowed to do things that are so freely given to everyone around her. She is guarded around the clock waiting for her Ascension. Something that not everyone is awarded. But, she was Chosen by the Queen after her parents were killed in a horrific Craven accident. Poppy is guarded around the clock by two personal bodyguards, Rylan and Viktor. Viktor has trained Poppy in sword fighting. Poppy is not as demure as she seems to be. When Poppy sneaks off in a disguise to the Red Pearl, she encounters the holy hot guy himself, Hawke. He is strong, fun, flirty and intrigued by Poppy. I turned page after page trying to figure out what would happen during Poppy’s Ascension. Jennifer L Armentrout makes you fall in love with all her characters before she throws curve balls right at you. No one is safe in this book. Who lives and who dies is a surprise to say the least.
As soon as I finished this book, I wanted to know when the next one would be out. Fingers crossed it isn’t a long wait!!
I have so much going through my head after finishing From Blood and Ash. There was a whole lot packed into this book and I’m still trying to process it all. There was a lot of emotion, both good and bad, action, humor, and of course surprises. It’s not a Jenn book without a lot of twists and turns that throw you for a loop. And they definitely threw me for a loop. I had a few suspicions about some things along the way, but I was definitely not expecting everything to happen the way it did. It was definitely a unique and intriguing book that sucked me in and kept me guessing. *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
I have never wanted, wished for or enjoyed a high fantasy from a favorite author of mine so desperately.
JLA has a knack for totally swoony heroes, bada$$ heroines that are flawed but oh so relatable and crafting stories with incredible depth, light, twists and fun. I devoured this book in a matter of hours and am already preparing for a re-read. Hawke is just everything you could want in a book boyfriend and Poppy is a tremendous main character. This world and it’s mythology are top notch and even if you think you’ve got some of the plot figured out, you don’t have it all solved, I promise! As always, the wait for the next will be excruciating, but totally worth it!
If you enjoy Mercedes Lackey, Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir or J.R. Ward, you’ll love this!
From Blood and Ash is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Both are romance heavy fantasy novels with a competent main characters and dark alpha male love interests.
From Blood and Ash follows Poppy, the Maiden, as she’s sequestered away while she awaits the day she Ascends, a rite of passage cloaked in mystery. Life is tedious and mundane as she’s restricted from just about anything enjoyable or pleasurable until a new personal guard is assigned to her.
Poppy is a competent and intelligent main character. She is physically capable and socially adept despite her isolation. As her title suggests, Poppy is lacking in her experience with relationships. The trope of experienced male and inexperience female is one I dislike, but Armentrout makes good use of the trope by allowing Poppy to embrace her sensuality.
Hawke, the male love interest, straddles the line of overbearing alpha male without being too obnoxious or borderline abusive. He’s firm yet yielding when needed. I wish Hawke had more screen time, but From Blood and Ash is Poppy’s story as she discovers herself and the world she lives in. I’ll be interested to see if Hawke gets his own perspective in the sequel.
The chemistry between Poppy and Hawke is electric from the first scene until the last. Their attraction to each other sizzles making it a real concern that the pages might suddenly catch fire. What else would you expect from an Armentrout novel?
Armentrout has never had an issue with world building and lore within her novels. The Covenant series is a great example of her world building capabilities. Now, From Blood and Ash will be the novel I point to as an excellent example of her creativity and attention to detail. From Blood and Ash features a world with an expansive history, gods, and beliefs systems that are all slowly explained to the reader as the story develops.
I almost rated From Blood and Ash 4.5 stars because the pace in the middle of the novel slows down too much. Readers simmer in the world with Poppy as Armentrout sets up the climax of the novel. Once the pace picks back up, it kept me reading until the end leaving me desperate for more.
Overall, From Blood and Ash is the perfect read for fans of Sarah J. Maas. It strikes the perfect balance between fantasy and romance elements leaving the world feeling lived in and full while allowing the relationship between the main characters feeling real and authentic.
Oh. My. God Y’all! When Jennifer L. Armentrout decides to drop a surprise release on us, she doesn’t disappoint!
From Blood and Ash is the start of a brand new fantasy series, and y’all… IT IS EVERYTHING! This was hands down the best book I’ve read all year!
I don’t want to get into too much detail about the plot or characters because hello….spoilers! But I will say I think Poppy is one bad Mamma Jamma! She is flawed, quirky, and totally relatable. And Hawk….SWOON! Step aside book boyfriends there’s a new man at the top of the list! He is everything you want from a book boyfriend and more.
One thing I will say about the book is that the world building, plot, and romance is top notch. JLA has a knack for writing amazing stories that have the perfect amount of intrigue, fun, depth, and twists. She really outdid herself this time. I could not put it down. I wanted to know everyone’s secrets. I wanted to understand the rituals and beliefs that this world was built around, and I wanted to figure everything out. There is a hint of secrecy in this book that will have you devouring it. I’m telling you, once you start this book, you won’t be able to stop until it’s finished. There are plot twists and things you’ll never see coming. All of which make for an awesome adventure. I CAN NOT wait for more!
I have so many feelings right now. First off Poppy is AMAZING!! She’s the heroine we have all needed for so long. Yes, she’s a bit clueless but by no fault of her own. She’s a bad ‘chick’ and I want to be her! I love her for being brave, for not letting her lack of knowledge hold her back! She doesn’t write people or information off, she gets pissed then she breathes and thinks! She’s my hero! Hawke…I have no words, he has to be my all-time favorite hero of JLA’s. He doesn’t make excuses for who he is, who he has to be. The pain that he carries, it’s so visceral and having Poppy feel that and explain it to us is everything. The storyline with the Atlantian and the Ascended….I was afraid it was going to be complicated at first but it makes so much sense and I have a few choice words for some of these people, lol.
I am full of emotion with this one, like I don’t even think Poppy could handle the emotions rolling off me right now and that ending, I don’t want to wait for book 2!
This is sure to be a top read of the year for most JLA and Fantasy fans out there. Get on this one, it is a MUST READ!
I’m having trouble deciding how I want to start this because my brain is still reeling from what I’ve just read.
But here goes. Whew.
Okay, first off, let’s welcome JLA to the world of high fantasy. If you ever had any doubts she could do it, smash them. This was amazing.
From Blood & Ash is everything we love about JLA’s fantasy writing…pumped up on steroids. There’s epic world building and plot twists, a strong female lead, a swoon worthy book hottie, a steamy forbidden love story, and side characters that can’t help but steal your heart.
In other words, it has it all.
I’ve been obsessed with Poppy and Hawke from the time Jen started dropping teasers months ago. I live for the banter between the characters she writes. It’s what keeps me coming back to her work time and time again — and I can promise you she delivers all the snark in this book. Their chemistry is top notch.
The plot constantly kept me interested in what would happen next. As with most high fantasy books I’ve read, after about halfway through, the story picks up and you can’t read fast enough. There’s character growth, people dying (sometimes you’re happy about that, other times you’re sad), and my personal favorite — stolen kisses…and other stuff. *wink*
I have gut feelings about what the next book will contain. But, I know better than to assume I know anything at all when it comes to Jen’s insane ability to take what you think might happen, and turn it inside out.
I honestly can’t wait for the next book. The only reason I’m bummed I’ve already read this story is the fact that I know I have to wait so long for the next one.