Reviews with content warning for Gore - From Blood and Ash

This took me a while (for me) to read because it just wasn't doing it for me. I wasn't drawn to the characters, the plot, or even the romance. The world building was confusing, but it did start to make some sense by the end. I could see the big reveal of the male MC a mile away. The writing was repetitive (we get it, he has dimples) and it was too descriptive at times, making the book longer than needed.

I haven't heard good things about the rest of the series, so I don't think I'll continue. I'll probably spoil the rest of it. I never felt myself get invested, and I feel that's important to continue a series, especially with lengthy books such as this one.

Content Warnings

kaychelle's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Content Warnings

hannibanani29's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

tmhr's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The writing can be confusing, but it’s really good fun.

Content Warnings

silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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.

This book has problems - serious problems. I am not entirely sure how the questionable relationship at the heart of this book could have been given the Best Romance award for 2020, just as I am also not entirely sure why I read it, but here we are: people love this book and I've read it, just barely.

I cannot say that this book is bad in the slightest; it was entertaining, the world it was set in was complex and interesting, Poppy was a very likeable character, and (once we got through half of the book) we got a lot of action - plot-wise and otherwise. However, this is where my issues stem from. This romance was cringy at best and abusive and manipulative at worst. I really started to hate Poppy when her emotions oscillated between love and hate, loyalty and betrayal. After being so blatantly lied to and used, I would not put up with any boy, no matter how pretty his eyes were and how nice he smelled. I'm sorry if that isn't romantic.

I am also so over the abused yet strong main character in YA / New Adult fantasy novels. Having as much power and spirit as Poppy did would be near impossible in the abusive environment she was in and, if she truly was as powerful as the novel suggests, surely she would have stood up for herself sooner. In addition to that, who can forget about the whole pure Maiden side plot (yes, side plot because - let's be honest - the smut is the main plot)? I am not a fan; constant discussions of "naughty" acts, being "inappropriate" and just sexual relationships, in general, do not a fantasy novel make, though they certainly make the word count.

Now, I know that my mediocre experience is an anomaly here. If a dark, dystopian fantasy with a huge emphasis on romance, death and all your typical tropes (vampires, werewolves, a mysterious dark prince from another land, etc.) sounds like a good time for you, this book is worth a shot. Armentrout's writing is very readable due to its almost stream-of-consciousness quality with a sprinkling of very quotable lines throughout is nothing to complain about. I may give her other series a shot for this reason; I just hope there will be no mention of "honeydew", that was a choice.

Content Warnings

cryosphinx's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Like many others here, I agree that the beginning was a slog to get through and the pace picks up in the last quarter of the book. And Poppy's inner dialogue gets a bit "Come on, let's move along" sometimes.

The story and mystery was enough to keep me hooked and I do love Hawke. I knew about the twisty twist because of spoilers but not knowing the full extent, the pay off was still worth it.

I'm not in love with Poppy (yet?) but the banter with her and Hawke is DELIGHTFUL.

Content Warnings

fiercereadsfiction's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Content Warnings

emmerylynn's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This got me out of my longest reading slump (over a year). AND it introduced me to New Adult Fantasy (my current reading preference). There are some parts that made me cringe with the main character’s POV, but the fast-paced plot and the romantic interest made this a page turner. I love the world building in this one and the twist was so shocking!

Content Warnings

More...