Reviews with content warning for Bullying - From Blood and Ash

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

40 reviews

themegaread's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.25

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theespressoedition's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.0

When I give a book a three-star rating, it means that the book was average. I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it. That's exactly how I felt about FBAA. It was a perfectly average fantasy.

The intro hooked me instantly and I was really intrigued by Poppy and her brazen disregard for the rules surrounding "who she was." The fact that the story introduced some serious sexual content pretty much right off the bat reminded me that this was certainly not YA and it's also most likely why there are so many fans. I think the sex sold this book, if I'm being quite frank.

There was a relatively decent plot, but nothing I haven't read before in a fantasy book. The characters irked me from start to finish (but especially towards the end). Their hot-and-cold "chemistry" made me angry more than anything else. It didn't make me feel invested in them. It didn't even feel like a "good" enemies-to-lovers trope (I use this label with quotes because I actually hate enemies-to-lovers, so what really constitutes as good??? I don't know, but this wasn't it).

By the end, I had lost the enthusiasm I had at the beginning and there wasn't a strong desire to put the sequel on my TBR. We'll see if I decide to finish out this series in the future.

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booking_along's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted relaxing tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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holthmsn's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging 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? Yes

5.0

From Blood and Ash made me go through a whirlwind of emotions, and it’s going to be replaying on my mind for a long time.

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distilledreads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

OK. I get the hype. I read this in a 12-hour window of time, only stopping (ever-so-briefly) to sleep.

First, a few of the things that bothered me, and what makes From Blood and Ash unable to be a five-star read in my books.

The consent borders on questionable at times, before flinging itself right into questionable territory, which left me with a queasy feeling in my stomach; however, I will suspend my distaste for at least another book, with the hopes that our characters have a very frank and honest discussion that isn’t clouded by lust. Both characters were willing and active participants in every sexual encounter, but information was withheld that (in my opinion) might have affected the willingness.

I would recommend looking into the content warnings before reading this as I didn’t (rookie mistake) and the first scene that came up slightly unexpectedly horrified me.

There are detailed descriptions of physical assault that is sexual in nature, as well as detailed descriptions of the shame Poppy feels which leads her to hide/deny the assault. Even though Poppy rationally tells herself that the assault isn’t her fault, she can’t stop the shame she feels in her body. I personally found this quite triggering.

The narrative is first-person, so what is happening to Poppy feels as if it is happening to you. Despite this graphic and horrifying assault…it is concluded in a way that I found gratifying.

The plot twists were predictable through heavy amounts of foreshadowing, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I don’t believe that Armentrout was actually trying to keep those plot twists hidden from the reader, but rather softly nudging our sides and letting us in on the secret that our heroine couldn’t see in front of her.

Finally, despite being the Maiden, forbidden to be seen by anyone, Poppy is seen by…a lot of people? Especially during one particular scene in which that rule that seems to govern her existence, just no longer applies. I understand why Armentrout used that trope in order to set up her story and move the plot forward, but it did irk me slightly how it was disregarded when it was no longer convenient.

And yet, despite all that, I found From Blood and Ash an addicting read. Our male lead is absolutely a morally grey character, and while I don’t quite love him yet, I do love the snark and banter that occur between him and Poppy. I love Poppy as well, who is out living my dream: a bad-ass woman with impeccable aim with a bow and arrow, and a dagger almost perpetually strapped to her thigh.

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skm's review against another edition

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medium-paced

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

1.0

I am so angry that I bought the sequels before finishing this book. The first half is alright, but the handling of physical abuse was horrible. The last line absolutely sums up the rest of the book: Poppy is given the illusion of choice, but the men have already made a decision regarding her life for her. Hawke's savior complex is gross, there are no likable characters in this book. The plot is nonexistent for the first 100 or so pages, then infodumped at random.

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