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crescentcourt's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 STARS
I really really enjoyed this and the writing was actually pretty good. I liked it a lot. I fucking love Poppy she's such a badass it's great
No one touches her
In a way with all the power and authority he holds I'm definitely getting Rhys vibes
Cas <3
I really really enjoyed this and the writing was actually pretty good. I liked it a lot. I fucking love Poppy she's such a badass it's great
No one touches her
In a way with all the power and authority he holds I'm definitely getting Rhys vibes
Cas <3
constantinaa's review against another edition
2.0
casteel is so funny but macedonians have been through enough we dont need this to add to the mix
mikaylanewby1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
xellyreads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: War, Murder, Violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Kidnapping
katiegerry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
araskov's review against another edition
3.0
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout is a unique journey into a world where destiny, duty, and desire converge to shape the fate of Poppy, a Maiden whose life is not her own. Chosen to usher in a new era, Poppy grapples with the solitary existence mandated for a Maiden—no touch, no glance, no pleasure. The anticipation of her Ascension weighs heavy, yet she finds solace fighting alongside the guards against the evil that claimed her family.
Armentrout's writing effortlessly immerses readers in the complexities of Poppy's life, where duty to the kingdom clashes with the longing of a heart and soul. The introduction of Hawke, a golden-eyed guard bound by honor to ensure Poppy's Ascension, introduces a forbidden temptation that weaves desire into the tapestry of destiny. The chemistry between Poppy and Hawke sparks with tension, inciting anger and questioning long-held beliefs.
As the narrative unfolds, a fallen kingdom, forsaken by gods and fueled by vengeance, rises to reclaim what they deem theirs. The blurred line between forbidden and right adds layers of complexity to the story. The foreshadowing, while sometimes obvious, keeps readers wondering about the twists and turns that lie ahead.
Armentrout's strength in character development shines through, making it easy to love or hate characters based on their involvement in Poppy's tumultuous journey. The emotional engagement deepens, and the immersive writing style ensures a connection with the characters' struggles and triumphs.
**While the pacing may feel long-winded at times, one can hope it serves as a foundation for a more fast-paced series in subsequent books.** The anticipation generated by the foreshadowing adds spice to the narrative, enticing readers to hang on for the promise of more intense excitement in the sequels.
Armentrout's ability to craft a world full of intrigue and emotion makes this novel a promising start to a series that holds the potential for even greater adventures ahead, so long as the following kick off running.
Armentrout's writing effortlessly immerses readers in the complexities of Poppy's life, where duty to the kingdom clashes with the longing of a heart and soul. The introduction of Hawke, a golden-eyed guard bound by honor to ensure Poppy's Ascension, introduces a forbidden temptation that weaves desire into the tapestry of destiny. The chemistry between Poppy and Hawke sparks with tension, inciting anger and questioning long-held beliefs.
As the narrative unfolds, a fallen kingdom, forsaken by gods and fueled by vengeance, rises to reclaim what they deem theirs. The blurred line between forbidden and right adds layers of complexity to the story. The foreshadowing, while sometimes obvious, keeps readers wondering about the twists and turns that lie ahead.
Armentrout's strength in character development shines through, making it easy to love or hate characters based on their involvement in Poppy's tumultuous journey. The emotional engagement deepens, and the immersive writing style ensures a connection with the characters' struggles and triumphs.
**While the pacing may feel long-winded at times, one can hope it serves as a foundation for a more fast-paced series in subsequent books.** The anticipation generated by the foreshadowing adds spice to the narrative, enticing readers to hang on for the promise of more intense excitement in the sequels.
Armentrout's ability to craft a world full of intrigue and emotion makes this novel a promising start to a series that holds the potential for even greater adventures ahead, so long as the following kick off running.
carlyjcrist's review against another edition
5.0
It probably should not have taken me two days to read a 600 page book… and yet here we are. Have been looking for my Fourth Wing hangover cure and I FOUND IT. No wonder they recommend for fans of SJM. This was giving me Shadow and Bone vibes, but satisfied me in all the ways that book did not. My wildest theories were proven true, also very satisfying. Can’t tell how good the book actually was, but I gobbled it up and am looking forward to starting the next one.
renee_c's review against another edition
2.0
2/5
I had heard so many good things about this novel and was sorely disappointed.
What I didn't realize was that this is a vampire novel. Which isn't a bad thing at all, but usually vampire novels these days try to do something different in terms of how vampires (or in this case vamprys) are created, and despite multiple pages of straight info dump, the world was never clearly explained. I thought I'd gotten through most of the info dump when I was 30% of the way into the novel but at 90%, "twists" are revealed and instead we are overloaded with the existence of vamprys which I could not for the life of me distinguish from the Craven (monsters?), the Atlantians (strong beings that are or are not the same as vamprys? arguably also monsters?), the Ascended (are they vampyrs? are they all vampyrs? also arguably monsters), and the Descenters (they support the Atlantians and they do monstrous things?). So basically everybody is a vampry? Literally, all I needed was a three sentences of direct statements to clarify what all of the pronouns meant and that was never provided.
Also, I predicted the true alliances of key characters in the first scene.
The bright light of this novel is Poppy. She is badass. I love her. The hype did not fail me there. The black hole dragging this novel down is Hawke. He is the YA trope of an alpha-hole. I couldn't even enjoy the sex scenes because of that. Poppy, you deserve better. I don't want to continue reading unless our love interest changes lol.
Pick up Throne of Glass instead if you want a badass heroine (or you can read this just for Poppy, I'd support that), or if you're looking for steamy scenes I'd recommend a quality adult romance like Meet Cute.
I had heard so many good things about this novel and was sorely disappointed.
What I didn't realize was that this is a vampire novel. Which isn't a bad thing at all, but usually vampire novels these days try to do something different in terms of how vampires (or in this case vamprys) are created, and despite multiple pages of straight info dump, the world was never clearly explained. I thought I'd gotten through most of the info dump when I was 30% of the way into the novel but at 90%, "twists" are revealed and instead we are overloaded with the existence of vamprys which I could not for the life of me distinguish from the Craven (monsters?), the Atlantians (strong beings that are or are not the same as vamprys? arguably also monsters?), the Ascended (are they vampyrs? are they all vampyrs? also arguably monsters), and the Descenters (they support the Atlantians and they do monstrous things?). So basically everybody is a vampry? Literally, all I needed was a three sentences of direct statements to clarify what all of the pronouns meant and that was never provided.
Also, I predicted the true alliances of key characters in the first scene.
The bright light of this novel is Poppy. She is badass. I love her. The hype did not fail me there. The black hole dragging this novel down is Hawke. He is the YA trope of an alpha-hole. I couldn't even enjoy the sex scenes because of that. Poppy, you deserve better. I don't want to continue reading unless our love interest changes lol.
Pick up Throne of Glass instead if you want a badass heroine (or you can read this just for Poppy, I'd support that), or if you're looking for steamy scenes I'd recommend a quality adult romance like Meet Cute.
rachel98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0