A Quick Recap and Review of From Blood and Ash Book Series

CLC
May 13, 2024
3 min read

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Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Romance

Rating: ★★★★

Summary:

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.

My Thoughts:

The book From Blood and Ash is a fantasy novel by Jennifer Armentrout, published in 2020. It's the first book in the Blood and Ash series and its intricate plot and compelling cast of characters have garnered a lot of attention and a significant following.

The magical world where we meet Poppy, our protagonist, who is the Maiden, chosen from birth to lead a life of solitude filled with restrictions. The list of things she isn't allowed to do is SO LONG the list of things she can do is much shorter. For example, she is not allowed to experience pleasure or make any choices about her life. She is supposed to sit idly while waiting for the day of her Ascension, which is this veiled in mystery.

The story does take a dramatic turn when Poppy meets the handsome and enigmatic guard, Hawke Flynn. And how he becomes Poppy's personal guard, is quite the story. With Hawke as her guard, he begins to challenge and change her views about the world and her destiny. Leading her to question the truths she's been fed by those around her. Their growing connection exposes the forbidden desires and feelings within Poppy.

As the story unfolds, the plot twists, full of the harshest betrayals and shocking secrets about their society (the Ascension) and her own identity. This story has great world-building and sets a good stage for all that is to come in this series (I have read all the books). There is a lot of action, heroine scenes, plot twists, and steamy romance scenes.

I am a reader who likes to solve the mystery I am reading as I am going... this one was not something I wasn't totally expecting. Being in the dark for most of the book was interesting. It was well written and timed well. The cliffhanger at the end ~is excellent!

The entire book combines elements of romance, mystery, and fantasy, creating a thrilling and engaging story. The core plot of this book is Poppy's journey of self-discovery and the unraveling of dark truths. Most often, this story is praised for its character development throughout—especially Poppy, who evolves from a sheltered, naive girl into a strong and determined woman.

The From Blood and Ash sets the stage for the rest of the books in the series. Let me know if you read this book and what you thought in the comments!